There's this beautiful cream sweater I have had my eye on for the past two days that caused me to be in "Awe" of the design and beauty of it! I did not purchase it as of yet; however, I did pray to God, if I should buy it. Well, as of today, I have not received a resounding yes or no; but I did receive something more powerful and impacting that caused me to truly meditate on what the scripture in I Timothy 2:9-11 AMPC is truly saying . It reads as follows:
"Also [I desire] that women should adorn themselves modestly and appropriately and sensibly in seemly apparel, not with [elaborate] hair arrangement or gold or pearls or expensive clothing,
But by doing good deeds (deeds in themselves good and for the good and advantage of those contacted by them), as befits women who profess reverential fear for and devotion to God.
Let a woman learn in quietness, in entire submissiveness."
Although these verses are connected to how, as Christians, we are to adorn ourselves with a pure heart that illuminates within us from spending time with God in His Word and prayer; people who are in doubt of the divine Word will develop a false message of what a Christian is and fade away from coming to God.
Yes, I can purchase the sweater, but I put my faith in the sweater to bring out the beauty in me more than I did God! I viewed the sweater initially; with the thought, "This is a beautiful sweater and I can wear this out and look sharp"! The sweater is only an outward adornment; whereas, true beauty is within - and God knows our hearts ( good or bad) that is the only adornment that speaks who we really are and who we truly serve! Amen
We ALL know that clothes fade , decay, and lose their value and style after wearing them a few times- God never goes out of style, fades, decays, or is invaluable to anyone, unless we reject His Love ~ That is incorruptible and unconditional!
The next time you see any "thing" that (in your mind) will make you feel good about you because you want to please the masses and be viewed as beautiful, well dressed, and wealthy (money); Thank God for His Love that outlast "ALL THINGS", and affects and infects your life that pleases Him (Who is the ONLY one that matters) and you will illuminate and draw attention, not because you are adorned with elaborate clothing and deceived that God is pleased with your money (Money does not please God; whereas He created Heaven and Earth and ALL it's inhabitants); but you are adorned with the Light (Jesus) that stands out in dark places that people can't help but notice ~ and draws others towards you!
John 1:3-5 AMPC
All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being.
In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men.
And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it [put it out or absorbed it or appropriated it, and is unreceptive to it].
