Karl is sort of an extra grandpa to a sweet, smiley little girl named Brynlee. When we were in Michigan this spring, I was wandering around a Cracker Barrel and came across the cutest little dress that called out, "Buy me for Brynlee." So I did, and we gave it to her for her 2nd birthday in June. It was a big hit. She wears it every chance she gets, stands in front of the mirror and turns this way and that way, and swishes the skirt around, and apparently loves it above everything else she owns. She calls it her party dress.
God popped a little parable into my head about my "party dress". He has given me some pretty exalted clothing. Look at Isaiah 61. In verse 4 we see part of our Saviour's mandate: "to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD that He may be glorified." And this is verse 10: "I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridgroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels." Imagine yourself wearing garments of praise and salvation, and the robe of righteousness. Can you see it? Look into the mirror and turn this way and that, admiring how God has adorned you.
After years of hearing messages about these gifts of heavenly clothing, after years even of teaching this to young adult Sunday school classes and Bible studies, why do I still keep my eyes on my personal faults and flaws and failings? Why do I not revel in the clothing that God has provided for me?
In the prodigal son parable, the younger son spurns his father's love and care and provision, and demands his share of the inheritance, basically saying, "I can't wait until you're dead" to his father, and then foolishly blows all of that wealth with wild and wasteful living. Finding himself in desperate straits, he decides to return home where he plans to earn what he needs by his own labours and efforts. He plans to abase himself before his father and beg for this mercy, that he be allowed to serve for his keep.
The father will have none of it. He doesn't even let the son finish his rehearsed speech before he is calling for the best robe, a ring and sandals. He is making it clear to all that this is not a servant. This is his son, and he wants to have him dressed with these indications of honour.
I can imagine that this son spent the rest of his life living an honourable life, not wanting to bring any further shame to the father who refused to condemn and punish him, but who showed him such love and grace.
In the natural, when we are wearing our very best clothes, we try not to get them dirty. We don't go out and start making mud pies.
In the same way, when we recognize that we are clothed in garments of salvation and praise, and robes of righteousness, when we focus on how beautifully God has arrayed us, we naturally try not to make a mess. As we focus on the fact that our pure and perfect, high and holy, righteous heavenly Father has washed us completely clean and covered us with these exquisite garments so that He looks at us and sees us blameless, righteous, and holy, we will not desire ugly, sinful ways of living.
Let's look into the mirror of His Word, and see what He says about us, and then not turn away and forget what was reflected there (James 1:24). Let's keep our eyes on what Jesus accomplished for us at the cross instead of constantly looking at how we have messed up. Then we will more effortlessly walk in that pure life we have been called to. Keep your "party dress" in focus.
