What are you wearing?

Matthew 6:28
28"And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, "

Have you ever really considered the lilies? Those of you who are closet Monty Python fans have probably heard this verse a hundred times and soon thereafter laughed at the crazy life of Brian, but what did Jesus really want us to do when considering the lilies?

Is this not a commandment? Observe how the lilies grow! They bask in the sun. They open themselves up in the morning to each new day, spreading their leaves and pedals to soak up all of the sun's rays. When it rains, they rejoice for the nourishment that it brings. They set their roots in solid, yet somehow accepting, ground. When animals come by and give them crap, they make the best of it! Oh, the lessons to be learned from how the lilies grow! We should be the same. For we are given a solid Rock, a firm Foundation to set our roots in, yet like the soil to the lilies, our Rock is willing to open up and give us room to spread out and to grow! We should wake daily and bask in the Son, opening our arms and raising our eyes to the Savior. We should openly accept the gift of life that He has poured out for us. When the rain comes, we drink! When people give us crap, we should make the best of it. As the lilies pull the nutrients from fertilizer, we should do the same. For we know that all things work for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28) We need to accept God's blessings in every part of our lives.

Wait, there's more......they do not toil nor do they spin. Some translations would say they do not worry nor do they spin. We are to do the same. We know that work is essential to survival, and that it's Biblical, (2 Thessalonians 3:10) but worrying is not. The stress that we place on our lives and bodies over our jobs is what's killing us quicker then bullets and bombs. Our moods, depression, anger, worry, and fears alter our minds and have horrible consequences on our bodies. Heart disease, mental disorders, and alcoholism are just a few results of this "toiling". The lilies, they don't have that...they just grow. They work hard to grow, but they're not worried about it. All they need, God has provided. The same is true for us!

This passage goes on to say that Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself as one of these. That's right, because Solomon was clothing himself. The lilies have been clothed with the righteousness of God. They don't need make-up or hair dye. The lilies don't need bright Hawaiian shirts and printed skirts, they are beautiful in the clothing that God gave them. We were once clothed in that same glory. In the beginning, in the Garden, God had clothed us with His righteousness. We were "very good" to quote the Creator! When we ate of the forbidden fruit, God's glory was no longer our clothing. We became naked and realized it. Thankfully, the blood of Jesus and the gift of the Cross has redeemed us to God. We are washed clean in the blood and clothed in His righteousness now.

So consider the lilies; observe how they grow. Then look at yourself and ask.....what am I wearing?