I get a skip in my step whenever it’s time to pull out a different apron for the next season! If you come to my house around mealtime, you will most likely find me in an apron. I have made aprons for a lot of my family members. Although we are empty nesters, you will still find a few of their aprons hanging on a rack in my kitchen. A handmade apron is also my signature gift for a new bride. I love dressing our grandchildren in an apron as we make memories in my kitchen. A favorite family photo is our daughter’s wedding dress on a hanger, on my apron rack.
As you can tell, aprons have become dear to me for many reasons. However, I need an apron because I am very careless in the kitchen! It seems like there is always a gooey accident waiting to happen. Speaking of mess, we are living in a messy time. It appears that in our present culture many of us have strong opinions as well as agendas to push or fight against, and emotions are high. The bowls in our kitchens are full! We either seem to be spilling batter on ourselves and others or fearlessly flinging it on those within reach. Perhaps we could all use an apron. It is messy out there!
This scripture came to mind as a needed spiritual apron.
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:12-14
Let’s linger a bit on this scripture. This command is for Christians. We Christians are to be holy, meaning set apart from the crowds, different. Christians are commanded to clothe themselves.
Yet in Ephesians 5:22-27, it says that God has already clothed Christians in a bridal gown that is free from stain or wrinkle.
But this passage in Colossians tells ME to clothe myself.
As a Christian, I am already dressed. Why continue to clothe myself? Perhaps I am to clothe myself with a spiritual apron to protect my bridal gown? After all, it was a precious gift, given at salvation. This gift represents so much to me and others.
In my kitchen, there are times that I feel too rushed to put on an apron. Sometimes I don’t take the time to put an apron on because I don’t consider what clothing I am wearing. Other times I feel too rushed or overly confident that I don’t need one. However, I almost always regret not wearing an apron.
I have found that I fail to put my spiritual apron on for the same reasons. I have found that it takes forethought, self-discipline, and at times self-control to stop and put an apron on, especially a spiritual apron.
“Clothe yourselves,” the passage says. Wow, can you take a minute to imagine clothing yourself with a spiritual apron made of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience? Honestly, it may be easier to envision an apron made of opposite virtues.
Which apron do you find yourself wearing? An apron made of compassion or revenge, kindness or irritability, humility or arrogance, gentleness or critical words, patience or being easily insulted? Is your apron bound together with love or disgust?
These questions bring me to the last time I threw a spoonful or two of my highly opinionated batter at another.
After this incident, I found myself bowing my head and asking God for forgiveness. I was reminded that when I sin against man, I am actually sinning against God. These actions truly offend my Jesus.
After sitting with my God and accepting His forgiveness, I then said, “Father, please fill me with kindness.
No, Lord, I choose kindness.
You have already clothed me.
I choose to put on kindness.”
What a difference I found in those two statements. The second one caused me to take on more responsibility and resolve. May I challenge you to try saying them out loud to yourself? ‘God, fill me with kindness.’ Now try this, ‘I choose kindness.’
Is it different for you as well?
As I bowed my head in this conversation with God I thought, I also must bow my head to fit a physical apron around my neck. Typically, I put on an apron so that I can serve someone else.
Then it hit me. The purpose of an apron is not only for protection, but also a symbol of servanthood!
The Bible teaches that Jesus came to glorify and represent the Father. He also came to serve, not to be served. As a follower of Christ, this is my call as well.
It is a privileged place to be adorned in God’s bridal gown. May we protect this beautiful gift by putting on our spiritual aprons. May we be mindful to serve others as we choose to clothe ourselves with spiritual aprons. May our spiritual aprons be bound together with love. Take the time to put on your aprons, my friend. The mess will come either way!
“…he (Jesus) is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.” Luke 6:35b
He is near,
Lynn
Lynn Jackson
CO-Founder
Thrive Leadership Foundation
journeylynn@gmail.com
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