Ok, so maybe not R. Kelly, thank you Jesus! 
In an effort to raise more finances for my trip, I’ve decided to clean out my closet and venture out to Plato’s Closet, hoping for a decent return. As I started sifting through my clothes, I was surprised AND kind of ashamed by how much I was going to have to sell. There were a lot of wrong sizes, outfits I didn’t wear anymore and shirts with tags still on them! Even with my closet fully cleaned, it still isn’t as bare as I thought it would be. I am a blessed girl, and a silly girl.
I have noticed that we as women, (especially those of us who have struggled with weight issues) will always have “that section” in our closet. The names of this section vary (“Goal Weight” “Lost hopes and dreams” “Holding on to my 20’s”) but by whatever name you call it, you can’t wear it, any of it, but we insist on keeping it, don’t we?
Or how about those outfits that are a bit nostalgic? You know, that shirt you wore when he first kissed you. Or those shoes that are broke in just right. Jeans that, despite the holes, are worn perfectly to your shape. We all have those those items or outfits that we hold onto because they mean something to us. They hold a memory or a feeling.
Then there are some outfits that just looked better on the mannequin. Somehow in the fluorescent lighting of the store, that shirt, dress, or jeans seemed to hypnotically look fantastic in that tacky, no one-looks-good, fake sun lighting and because you saw the mirage in the mirror, you made the purchase at the register. We’ve all done it, no judgement here.
As I cleaned out my closet, the Lord began to speak to me about my own life and the similarities that lied within.
Why do I hold onto things that clearly don’t fit anymore? Seeing those smaller sized jeans made me long for a time when they fit. How often do I hold onto things that just don’t fit my life with Jesus anymore? Gossip doesn’t “fit” a good follower of Jesus, so why would I choose to wear it? Anger doesn’t compliment the figure of Jesus, yet I jump and wiggle, and squeeze myself back into it again and again.
James 1:19-21 tells us “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”
We need to put the word into action. It always fits. Hebrews reminds us that the word of God is ALIVE. It’s always relevant, and always on time.
Then I looked at those nostalgic pieces. Those ones that have always fit, they’ve always been there. The COMFORTABLE ones. God reminded me that I’m about to leave for 11 months into the unknown, the Uncomfortable. Each of us has to decide if our comfort is more important than HIS call. A mentor of mine used to say,
“Many are called and few are chosen. The difference in the 2 is that the chosen are willing to do, what the called won’t.”
Following the call of Jesus isn’t comfortable. Some days are really hard. But I have found more life in following Jesus than anything this world has ever offered.
“Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. (Matthew 16:24-25)
The last observation was on things that I had acquired but never worn. Items that still had the price tag on them. Do I realize that being healthy cost my savior stripes on His back? Do I realize that instead of anger I can choose to wear joy? Instead of wearing fear or anxiety, do I even see that the garment of peace is at my very fingertips?
We choose what we wear. We choose what is in the closet of our hearts. Sometimes we need to clean out that closet in order to understand what we have, and perhaps some things we need to let go of.
This year will be a continual act of cleaning out my closet. Getting rid of attitudes and doubts. Putting on faith, love, joy, peace… Some items will be hard to let go of, other things will make a natural exodus. One item that will always fit is Jesus. I leave you with Romans 13:14
“ Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.[a]
