Clothe

Colossians 3:12-17 (NIV)

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.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

For me, this passage of scripture has come to have unbreakable ties to weddings.

It's been the scripture that I've read at most of the weddings I've conducted during my years as a pastor.

I love the picture of love that we're given, and I find that this vision in Colossians stands in nice contrast to the usual things that surround a wedding.

I've just been part of way too many weddings in my life where nobody can remember anything of significance that happened because they were all consumed with worry over the things that didn't really matter.

I always find myself wondering whether folks realize that there's more than a cultural ceremony going on --- but the beginning of a lifelong covenant?

Here, Paul isn't worried about the right clothes, the placement of the wedding party, the trappings of the day, or who is impressed and made happy.

He's concerned with the clothing of love.

The images are those of serving, giving and unity. But of course these aren't just ideas that apply in a marriage.

How can we move through all the deep places of life with spirits of forgiveness, love and unity? How can we remember that there's more than silly details happening each day? That there are deep things of covenant and truth...and God?

Live...Paul says..."as the Lord forgave you." A joyful heart for serving starts with that kind of clothing...humble and forgiven, fresh and clean. Focused on all the things that really matter most.

Prayer: Our prayer is that we might be "clothed in love," putting the interests of others even ahead of our own.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.