Being ready

Last weekend we were invited to our neighbour's 40th birthday party. Having moved in barely over a year ago, we hardly know her, so it was very sweet of her to ask us. We accepted, looking forward to meeting new people and getting to know our neighbour's family a little better. The small boys often visit our garden to collect the football they have inadvertently kicked over the hedge, but we only rarely see their parents. We really don't know them particularly well at all.

So it was with a little trepidation that we prepared to get ready. We suspected that there might be high-flying business colleagues there, or some very yummy mummies, so took greater pains than usual to get ready. Dress code? No idea. Smart casual perhaps, whatever that means.

We are sociable, often inviting friends round, but tend to dress very casually ourselves. 'Smart dos' which involve cocktail dresses or black ties are not our thing: indeed, you could say are to be avoided with plague-like responses. So my husband had to hunt through his wardrobe for smarter shoes - deck shoes being the best he could come up with, in contrast to the trainers he usually lives in. Then there was the problem of a smart shirt whose collar was not in the slightest bit frayed or worn: we eventually found one and quickly got out the ironing board. Then, the trousers. The bottom half of a suit? Or perhaps a clean pair of jeans, if such a thing existed? There was indeed a pair at the back of the wardrobe which had somehow survived gardening, woodwork, car repairs and loft insulation. Finally, what to wear on top? The most respectable sweater seemed careworn, to say the least, but there was nothing else better, so I dusted off bits of fluff, a wealth of dog hair and the odd strand from one of the two humans who live in our house.

As for me, I pulled on a stretchy, lacy black dress which seems to fit the bill for almost every occasion. It's taken a while to settle on a 'go to' outfit, but this dress seems to work for me without too much trouble. I was ready, at least.

But this got me thinking. How am I spiritually dressed, ready to engage with an unfamiliar culture? Are my feet "fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace."? Do I need to clean my shoes, brushing off strife and unforgiveness, polishing them so that they reflect a patina of peace, friendliness and calm?

Do I need to ensure that "the belt of truth  (is) buckled around (my) waist"? The truth that, regardless of what I look like, whether my clothes are expensive or off the cheapest rack in town, or are old and in need of refurbishment, I am a precious and loved daughter of The King? Do I know that it really doesn't matter how good (or not) my make up is, I am adored and beautiful in God's sight? Do I know that I do not need man's (or woman's) approval or favour, because the GOD of ANGEL-ARMIES has sacrificed the world for me? 

Ephesians 6:10 - 17 says:"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,   In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

The Message says:
 "God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.
Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out."

So we were, indeed, prepared. We giggled over our scruffiness and inept attempts at 'being smart', but went next door confident that we were taking Jesus with us. And it was a very enjoyable evening. Drinks and nibbles, lots of noise, but a warm welcome to a crowd of lovely, ordinary people, friends and family gathered to celebrate a birthday. And we got to know these rather reserved, shy neighbours just a little better.

Grateful for the opportunity, grateful to be serving a Commander far more powerful than anything the world can throw at us. Even in the face of the possibility of smart, suave, super-chic and 'high-powered' people.

humility. not even a capital letter for the word.

1 Peter 5:5 

In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.” (Proverbs 3:34: 

He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed; The Lord sneers at those who sneer at him, but he is kind to everyone who is humble; He gives proud skeptics a cold shoulder,
but if you’re down on your luck, he’s right there to help.

v.35 Wise living gets rewarded with honour; stupid living gets the booby prize. What is wise living? In this context, it seems to be living humbly. Perhaps what Andy Stanley talks about when he asks: In the light of your past experiences, your present circumstances and your future hopes and dreams...what is the WISE thing to do?

Clothe myself with humility. Humility is not my natural state and so I need to acquire and wear it. I can't wait for someone else to give it to me, either as a new present or as one of their cast-offs; no, I need to buy it. And second-hand garments of humility won't do, either: I have to buy new and, sometimes, expensively. Humility can be very, very costly.

So how do I shop for humility? 

Make every effort

1 Peter 5:5  In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you,  with humility toward one another, because,
“God opposes the proud
but shows favour to the humble.”

I had misread the reference and thought I was looking at 2 Peter 1:5 which begins 'make every effort'...
Suitable, I had thought. I had woken up weary, having to remind myself to 'live joyfully' and 'make every effort' to live a life pleasing to Jesus, rather than dragging myself up.

But this verse also reminds me to 'make every effort'. To make an effort to be submissive to my leaders and to be humble towards others. I love where Paul says in the Scriptures
'clothe yourselves'...

clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh. Romans 13:14

For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 1 Corinthians 15:53 - 54

Meanwhile we groan,longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 2 Corinthians 5:2 - 4

for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. Galatians 3:27

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12

And so, as I get up, somewhat weary and discouraged, I can remind myself to 'clothe myself' with Christ, above all his humility. Today, this morning, I don't need to 'make EVERY effort', although later I will. I need to get up, get dressed, and clothe myself with Christ. 

Then, and only then, will I be able to live my life out in the good and certain knowledge of his will. 
Starting with being humble towards others.