Nougat 25

Greetings my dear

I recently had the rare opportunity to go out for church after 8 months of lockdown and just before embarking on a new, more strict lockdown. It was a joy to dress up, despite the snow. Especially when it was dress up to go out! I don’t think it would have mattered if I dressed down; but most people would prefer to dress up for Church, especially my generation and those prior.

Did you realize Clothes can also be part of God’s call on our lives? Consider today’s Holy Nougat

“John wore clothes made from camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.” Mark‬ ‭1:6‬ ‭TLV‬‬

Talk about blending in with the scenery! It seems our brother John had zero interest in fraternizing with regular people. I guess the hair wouldn’t itch any longer, as his body acclimated over time; but camel’s hair and a belt? Definitely not Paris fashion week. And yet, there are nuns, priests and others who opt to forego fancy clothing to live in simplicity before God.

As we learned not too long ago, the garments that really matter to God is the spiritual variety. Thus, the prophet Joel admonished, ‘rend your hearts, not your garments’ as a sign of repentance. It’s not about keeping up appearances. Our call to Christ and by extension to ministry is firstly a heart call before it extends outward. We love God with all our hearts, which may manifest in wearing our best as we give of our best.

Further, while we ought to concern ourselves with outer wear, especially during Covid-19; God is more concerned about what we wear internally with others and with God. Could it be that some of our pieces are camel’s hair on the inside? Scratchy, unfinished, with no sign of the Coutourier’s influence? Do we need to pay the original Designer a visit to get some custom-made inner pieces? I can imagine how folks would respond to the change – skepticism -> shock -> acceptance -> testing (-> transformation).

Lord help us be ready for our inner clothes.

In Christ’s love and grace . . .