Upon arriving in Korea, I enrolled in a tae-kwon-do class. Master Lee greeted me by asking me exactly how “large-ee” I was. I glared at his nerve – was that a jab in itself?! But I told him, and he presented me with my own new uniform. Wearing it, I felt like a force to be reckoned with: Ha-Yah! Don’t mess with me!
What is it about clothes that affects our attitude?
I teased my friend Mandy about the new yoga pants she bought recently, sarcastically assuring her that the poses ought to be much easier now. But it’s kind of true – you’ve got to “dress for success.” You wear work out clothes to the gym because you just can’t do the work in the wrong gear. 
Imagine me kicking in this dress! [I said “kicking” – not “kicking it!” Shoo – I worked that dress! 😉 But even Charlie’s angels strip down to get tough!]
This week, my 6th grade students performed speeches from the
point of view of a mythological god or hero from Ancient Greece. As they practiced, I encouraged them to assume the role of their character with confidence, but it wasn’t until they actually put on their costumes (just a toga-style sheet) that they were transformed.
All the fashion-related TV shows associate outward appearance with inner ideas of self. So, it’s obviously not simply about what clothes you put on, but the attitude you put on as well. That said, this is not a blog about what not to wear, as I am the last person to be doling out fashion advice! But it is about claiming your identity in Christ and clothing yourself with righteousness.
The Bible says that “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17) We are also taught to “put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24)
So, I urge you to think about who you truly are – a sinner REDEEMED – and what qualities the job you’re doing requires of you, then put on that new self, and assume your role in the Kingdom with confidence.
* Note: It is not enough to simply “know” your identity, you’ve got to put it on daily.
(Eh-hum, Mandy, the pants are not helping you by sitting in the closet.)
* Note: This is also not the same as putting on a costume to pretend or to hide.
This is about revealing the true you, who God intends you to become.
