Surf & ServeSample

WHAT ARE YOU WEARING?

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

—Colossians 3:12

I remember the moment when, as a wee lad, I decided to become a surfer. A guy sauntered across the crosswalk in front of our family car as we waited at a red light. Right away, I knew he was a surfer—and I knew I wanted to look like him and for others to see me as I saw him.

It’s not such a bad thing to want to fit in with the people with whom you share common interests, but it sure can lead to arrogance or disappointment. Even those who aim to find their own style risk putting too much emphasis on their appearance.

It’s fun to represent your favorite surf brands or try to capture your own unique personality in the way you look, but let’s not forget the most important clothing: “Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ…” (Romans 13:14) and “… always clothe yourselves with mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience” (Colossians 3:12, NCV).

Because when people look at you, is it more important that they see someone cool, a surfer, someone who is up with the latest fashion? Or is it better that they instead see Jesus all over you?

The mindset that started for me at that intersection long ago—of thinking that if I can only look like a surfer I’d be acceptable or valued—is a hard one to shake.

The world always wants to squeeze you and me into a mold that is far inferior to the one for which we were designed.

The Bible puts it this way: “Do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes]” (Romans 12:2, AMP).

So today, take a moment to ask yourself how your attire—both physical and spiritual—can make you a more effective servant of Christ and those around you today.

Go Deeper:

• What are some of the ways in which the world is trying to squeeze you into its mold of looking or behaving in a certain way?
• How can you begin to push back against that worldly pressure—and reclaim some of your identity today as you instead pursue the One?