So often I see people trying to fit in. Fitting in by the clothes thy wear, the music they listen to, certain habits they pick-up. I’ll use clothing for the case of conversation. I like to shop at American Eagle or Old Navy. I’d love to shop at Ambercrombie and Fitch or Buckle but I simply can’t afford it. Sometimes I’ll hang out in the clothing dep’t at Wal-Mart or Target, but not for long unless there is something that catches my eyes. But God forbid if I go to the Salvation Army!
But I used to have a problem with my image. I had many. One minute I was a jock and boasted in sports, mainly baseball and the St. Louis Cardinals. I would play alot of golf and I worked out at the gym and was looking pretty good; very sporty. I also love the cowboy life, so I would throw on the boots, wranglers, and cowboy hat and listen to George Strait or Merle Haggard. I played in a rock band so I would throw on my converse shoes and chains and wristbands or bracelets and rock out in the truck.
I had so many looks my friends didn’t know how to act. Neither did I for that matter cause I would wake up feeling like a cowboy and by the mid-day I was wanting to rock, so I had to go home and change clothes. I had multiple images.
But later did I realize where my image lies. I tried to fit in according to the way people have designed it. To look a certain way, to do certain things and to be certain ways. I think they call this a stereotype. God did not design it this way and I think God’s design is way more profitable than man’s.
God said you and I were created in His image. This image that He has created us in is a spiritual image, not a physical one. Gal 5:23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
I like what Paul had to say about clothing yourself.
Col 3:12
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
So why do we fight to fit in when God has created us dressed to the nines and fitting in perfectly? I like the mindset of Derek Webb. He says (paraphrased) that we focus too much on our outer appearance and not on the inner image! Just listen to the song, “T-shirts (What we should be known for)”. This song says we should be know for our love for others and not for the things that we do that do not glorify God.
I no longer have an identity crisis. God has confirmed to me who I am in Him. I am created in His image. I am an offspring of His personality. I still want to be a cowboy. I still want to move out west and drive cattle and work on a ranch. I still want to ride into the sunset while Roy Rogers sings Happy Trails as the credits roll.
I don’t think it matters what I wear on the outside. I mean Adam and Eve wore designer clothes. The fig leaves were designed by God himself, better than Armani, Calvin Klein, Dolce and Cabana, Versaci, or Mr. Hilfiger ever dreamed about!
Just LOVE!!!!!!
