Fashion Statement

Many years ago, Mr. Bill brought Dustin home from baseball practice in the back of the truck. One look at Dustin and I understood why. He was covered in mud from neck to the soles of his shoes. Dustin proudly told me how he dove for a ball right into the mud. He said he didn't make the play, but the effort was awesome. That, of course, was obvious!

God wants to clean us up real good ... from the inside out. Dustin went to the back yard, stripped down, then straight to the shower. In no time, there was no trace of the muddy mess. Gathering dirt is what we humans do best; no matter how hard we struggle for holiness, we are spiritually dirty. Something or someone is always stirring the proverbial pot: a negative comment here, an unkind act there, and we’re can easily in a mire of bad thoughts, words, and behavior. Jesus was no stranger to this; there were countless people in His life wanting nothing more than to arouse anger, causing Him to react instead of respond. In Matthew 23:27, He spoke candidly to the outwardly religious leaders: “For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness.” We live in a world that focuses almost exclusively on outward appearances; the fashion industry is a good example of this ever-changing attraction. When we are serious about a life fashioned after righteousness, our hearts will bear only one name brand -- Jesus Christ. Let us, hence, consider our fashion statement!