What I wear is very important. It seems a little silly to say as I’m sitting on my couch wearing jeans and a sweatshirt. But we humans use clothing to distinguish who we are and what we do.

The clothes I wear can tell you that I’m in the military, and exactly what branch, rank, unit, how long I’ve served, and for which country. My clothes can tell you what college I attended or what sports team I care about. My clothes can indicate that I’m an employee at the store you are shopping in. When I go home after my shift, the first thing I do is change my clothes.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,” (Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭12,‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

What I wear is very important. This includes what I put on inside. When I wake up in the morning, I think carefully about my shirt. I check the temperature so I know whether I should wear a sweater or a t-shirt. I check my calendar so I know whether I’m going to be seen in public or slouching around at home.

But I should also take some time to check my attitude. I need to reach into God’s closet for a fresh set of compassion, humility, kindness, gentleness, and patience.

If I don’t wear God’s loving Spirit, people won’t recognize me as His child. They won’t know to come to me for prayer or help any more than they’d know I was a police officer if I weren’t wearing my uniform.

Dear God, remind me to wear your beautiful uniform of love every day. Forgive me for getting lazy and throwing on the dirty garb of hatred, apathy, and selfishness instead. I want to be recognized as your obedient employee, ready to help and to love.