Clothing Choice

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

Last weekend, my church went to Cambria which is located on the Pacific Coast and has beautiful scenery. A lot of people were also there enjoying the beauty of God’s creation. Many of them were very old, some even went in their wheelchairs. It was morning when we got there. It was somewhat cloudy and the air was still a bit crisp, but luckily, it wasn’t windy.

As we were walking on the path, we saw an elderly man walking a couple of puppies. The puppies must have been excited by the walk along the ocean. They kept running around and around. This poor elderly man was trying to take control of these 2 excited puppies with one hand while trying to stay on his feet with a cane in the other hand.

Then, all of a sudden, for no apparent reason, the puppies started to run around and between his legs. It didn’t take long before these 2 puppies tied their leash around his legs, together with his cane. Though it was not a huge trouble, judging from the way he moved around, it was a predicament for this elderly man to even sit or bend down to untie them. I can still remember the way he stood still there, fearing that any move might push him off balance and make him fall. This elderly man first laughed and then, realizing his troubles, began to ask for help.

An elderly woman nearby immediately went up, bent down, and began to call the puppies. Apparently, she did not know these puppies. But she gently guided these puppies to untangle the leash and, in no time, this elderly man was freed.

That was a picture hard to forget. It wasn’t a big problem, but it needed kindness, gentleness and patience. That’s what that elderly lady demonstrated. The way she stooped and called the puppies to untie the old man was a living reminder of our verse today.

I don’t think, when she decided to go to Cambria, she had her mind set to take on this act of kindness. But, as the situation arose, she rose to the situation and naturally showed her kindness to this man in need. She did not blame it on the clumsiness of the old man to allow himself tangled up in the leash. She did not hesitate because she might lose some wonderful time enjoying the beautiful scenery. All she saw was a man in need and it was this need that she responded to. In my view, that was the most beautiful part of that ocean view that morning.

The Apostle Paul asked that we, as the chosen people of God, be clothed in “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Colossians 3:12) I think he made such a request because: 1) we are “God’s chosen people” (Colossians 3:12) and this identity demands the display of certain qualities of a life behind it, and 2) such qualities are to be displayed as they are natural products of the quality of life within. That’s why he asked that we be “clothed” in.

Like that elderly lady, the situation may present itself with or without our anticipation. When this happens, we always have a choice. We can choose to move on as if nothing happens. But we can also choose to stop and offer our help. Bible is very clear that, when we are clothed in these virtues Paul identified, we will do well to rise to any and all situations as the chosen people of God.

With the never-ending list of problems in life and the twisted moral standard, the needs of people for love, peace and kindness have never been greater. It really doesn’t take a lot of social resources or a project to deliver these badly needed comfort and support. With kindness in heart and the willingness to spend time with the needy, we can deliver the love, peace, freedom, and comfort needed one person at a time. More importantly, by doing so, people would recognize this “uniform” of God’s chosen people and give glory to Him!

Prayer Requests:
For the quality of life of seniors with mobility problems

Prayer:
Father, please help us to see and to serve the needs of all those around us with grateful hearts, especially those who are less mobile and more vulnerable. Help us to be open to Your love and grace always so we may share them in acts of kindness to those in need as we pray in the gracious name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen!