“So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline.” (Colossians 3:12 MSG)
Each of us spend a lot of time figuring out what to wear when it comes to our work attire. If we are honest, we can overlook what God considers more important when it comes to what we wear - our inner wardrobe.
Colossians 3:12 reminds us of 7 important aspects we are to incorporate into our attire as Christian women at work:
CHOSEN - God has picked us to become part of His family. As a result, we can look to Him for His guidance and wisdom in any area in which we lack. I like to think of this as a special piece of “jewelry” - an heirloom necklace or family ring.
LOVE - we each get a fresh new start when we become God’s children, the foundation of which is love. That love is to visibly “coat” us wherever we are. (More on love in the second half of this 2 part series next week!)
COMPASSION - Just as God looks upon people through the eyes of grace and mercy, we are to look at them through the “glasses” of compassion.
KINDNESS - How we respond to our coworkers, bosses and clients at work can make all the difference as Christian women. Speaking only kind words will reveal your character in the workplace. This would be the “lipbalm” we are to wear each day.
HUMILITY - Not performing for rewards is a recognizable trait of Jesus, who humbled Himself even though He was God to live and minister amongst us. Humility at work makes you more approachable, and shows you care for those you work with. These would be seen through our walk, so the “shoes” we wear. (Again, more on this aspect next week.)
QUIET STRENGTH - There is a confidence in knowing that God’s strength is available at any time to His children, and we can visibly wear that support through seasons of stress, like a secure “belt” around our middle.
DISCIPLINE - Jesus spent regular time in prayer, had a plan for where He was to go next, didn’t react negatively to unexpected interruptions and spent the years in preparation before He began His ministry. We too can wear the same attitude when we are at work, as we literally “watch” our behaviour and model it well.
TAKING THIS TO GOD IN PRAYER:
Father God, thank You for welcoming me into Your family. Help me each day when I go to work to model my character after that of Jesus. Equip me to become more loving, compassionate, kind, humble, confident in Your strengthening me where I am weak, and guiding me to be both disciplined and alert to follow as You lead. Remind me when I need a nudge to check a potential stained area in my inner wardrobe, so I can quickly replace it and continue to be a blessing at work. I know I could not live this new life without the Holy Spirit’s direction, and spending time in Your Word and with You in prayer. Thank You for inviting me to join what You are actively doing in my workplace through my obedience, and the lives of those around me at work. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Stay tuned next week when we take a closer look at a few more key pieces to the wardrobe God has for us to wear at work.
Blessings,
Karla Lees
Guest Blogger, Christian Women at Work