The inside is more important than my appearance . . .

While I try not to judge people by what they wear, this is a common occurrence. It reminds me of a couple of seniors who joined a youth group activity. Those who participated were supposed to dress up somehow and go to the local (and huge) mall. The youth were supposed to find and identify them. These seniors dressed like street people. Their ‘costumes’ were so effective that someone reported them to security and they were ‘arrested’ and nearly booted out of the mall!

This morning I read again the description of how God’s servants are to behave and noted the last line in these verses about how Christians are supposed to adorn themselves . . .

Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. (Titus 2:9–10)

The image comes to mind of people loved and forgiven by God and declared blameless because of faith in Jesus Christ but sadly adorning themselves as sinners wearing worldly passions, out of control, greedy, rebellious, argumentative, unkind, full of pride and anger, and looking like anything but the people of God that grace and faith declares them to be. No wonder the ‘people in the mall’ want to toss them out! No wonder that this section ends with, “Let no one disregard you.” (Titus 2:15b)

When I get ready for the day, I try to pick clothing that represents good taste. However, I’ve not always been that particular about my attitude. God wants me to choose it with far greater intention than given to what I look like:

Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. (1 Peter 3:3–4)

Being gentle and quiet does not come naturally for me. Gentle is sometimes translated as meek, not a popular word. However, it is the same word used by Jesus in Matthew 11:29: “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Imagine being a person that is like this — humble and gentle, able to produce rest in the souls of those around them. No matter how nicely I dress or wear my hair, that is not going to happen. It must be an inner attitude that permeates the room and is felt by others. Now that is a challenge!

Quiet is an attitude that can produce a similar result. It means tranquil or being untroubled and free from disturbances; especially free of noise and uproar. Think of being in a garden, away from the sounds of traffic and city, away from all problems and anxieties, just enjoying the peace and quiet. This is what being with Jesus is like. Am I too ambitious to want to be like Jesus? This is a double challenge!

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Jesus, the seniors who dressed unlike their real selves had to convince the security guards that they were not what they appeared to be. They were able to do it, and even though their activity was interrupted, it gave the rest of us something to chuckle about. Yet acting like who we are as Your people is far more serious. I need to adorn myself in the lifestyle You produce in me because this is not a laughing matter or a game. Gentle and quiet are part of who You are and precious. These qualities adorn the truths that the Bible teaches. When I look in the mirror of Your Word each morning, I need to always be aware of what You show me so I am reflecting Your nature and not something that is no longer true about who I am.

Today’s thankful list . . .

Another walk in the fresh fall air.

Unexpected long nap because my alarm didn’t work!

Family phone calls.

Assurance of God’s sovereignty.

His promise that one day I will be like Jesus when I see Him face to face.

Focus on Jesus and others, not the mirror

My interest in prayer and how to pray keeps growing. The Bible has lots to say on the topic. This passage is familiar and one that I often quote because I often hear people talking about politics. It encourages us that rather than talk (or complain) we need to pray for our political leaders.

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1–4)

These verses are strong. Four types of prayers are listed, covering everything from thanksgiving to earnest pleas, with thanksgiving often the most challenging! They also give good reason for praying. God is pleased when I pray because it indicates I am trusting Him to rule the affairs of life, not the politicians. These words also link prayer with living a peaceful, quiet life and with people knowing the truth and being saved. No amount of talk (or complaining) about the government or political leaders will do that but prayer can!

However, I notice something else about prayer just a few verses later . . .

I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. (1 Timothy 2:8–10)

Because this leads into a controversial section on the role of women, this part could easily be ignored. Since I’m reading devotionally, I have not checked commentaries, etc. but am listening. The Holy Spirit seems to be linking a couple of thoughts.

First, the men are to pray with godly hands lifted — indicating a reliance on God, but without any anger or disputes in their lives. They are to be at peace with one another when they go to prayer.

Likewise, the women are also to pray like that, with one further addition. Oddly, it is about how we dress and do our hair. What does that have to do with prayer? Well, it can interfere with it, even with getting answers.

I don’t know about other women, but it seems to me there is a tendency in my own heart to compare my “Sunday best” with the appearance of others. I notice what they are wearing and if they look good. In our congregation, several women of a certain culture dress in vivid colors and patterns and have ornately braided hair. They are amazing in appearance. It would be easy to fall into a comparison attitude if my value system put my clothes and hair style high on the list.

These verses link prayer with being respectable, modesty and self-control contrasting it with a desire to have fancy hairdos, jewelry, and expensive clothing. Interesting. It suggests that when a woman prays, she must have the attitude that being dressed to the nines is not important. Appropriate is okay but not to draw attention to myself. I’m to be thinking of what I am doing and the needs of others, not what I look like in the mirror.

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Lord Jesus, I think I am okay with this but keeping a balance is not that easy. I want to look nice, but don’t want others pay attention to me because of how I look. I don’t want to go too far the other way and be noticed because I’m unkept or a messy distraction. You want me to be godly and my appearance to be adorned with goodness, good behavior and good activities that honor You. Help me remember these thoughts whenever temptations lure me to compare myself with those women who could be on the pages of a fashion magazine. This is not what being a Christian is all about, and from what these verses say, it would interfere with my prayers.

Today’s thankful list . . .

Energy to work hard today on a challenging to-do list.

Holiday break for my hubby.

Email that makes possible communication with distant relatives and friends.

An old but amazing sewing machine.

The last piece of peach pie.

Be cautious with discernment

Hosea 11:1–12:14, Acts 5:1–42, Job 16:10–22

People tell me that I have discernment, but God is telling me to be careful that I do not rely on human opinion. I need to seek Him so that my judgment of what people are thinking and doing is how He sees it.

The Bible has many examples. For instance, in the Old Testament God’s people were making sacrifices, going to their place of worship, and giving at least lip service to the laws of God. However, He looks at the heart and saw what others could not see . . .

“My people are bent on turning away from me, and though they call out to the Most High, he shall not raise them up at all. How can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I hand you over, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender. I will not execute my burning anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim; for I am God and not a man, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath.” (Hosea 11:7–9)

These verses say that even though they called on Him, God would not answer for their hearts had actually turned from Him. He was going to deal with their sin, but determined not to destroy them. His compassion is greater than His wrath.

Imagine two ways a parent could discipline a child. One is in anger because the child’s behavior is annoying her. The other is with concern that the child becomes a better person, so the discipline is about the child’s need, not the parent’s peace of mind. The challenge is being able to discern which motivation is at work. This tells me to be careful about outward appearances. There is more going on in the heart than I can see.

In the story of Job, this broken and troubled man could not figure out why God had allowed the difficulties in his life. He was certain he did not deserve God’s wrath, but why did God allow his suffering? All Job could say was: “God gives me up to the ungodly and casts me into the hands of the wicked. I was at ease, and he broke me apart; he seized me by the neck and dashed me to pieces; he set me up as his target; his archers surround me. He slashes open my kidneys and does not spare; he pours out my gall on the ground. He breaks me with breach upon breach; he runs upon me like a warrior. I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin and have laid my strength in the dust. My face is red with weeping, and on my eyelids is deep darkness, although there is no violence in my hands, and my prayer is pure.” (Job 16:11–17)

This tells me that I cannot know the mind of God. Job was a righteous man whom God praised. He allowed Satan to test him, to prove that the faith God gives is sufficient even if life falls apart. God never did tell Job what was going on, but Job’s faith held. For me, trusting the Lord takes priority over trying to discern what He is doing.

In the NT reading, “a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”

Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”

When Ananias heard these words, he fell down dead and great fear came upon all who heard of it. (Acts 5:1–5) Not only that, his wife came in about three hours later, not knowing what had happened.

Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.”

She repeated her husband’s lie, and Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” (Acts 5:7–9)

Verse 11 says that “great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.” That is no surprise, yet there is more to this than a warning to be truthful. The Holy Spirit knows the human heart. People might be able to fool others, even themselves, but God is not deceived. He revealed the truth to Peter so he could confront this couple.

This tells me that if I think I know what people are up to, or what God is doing, I’d better check that out with God. Discernment is a valuable gift, but things are not always what they seem.