The Emperor's New Clothes

Matthew 6:28-30

And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you--you of little faith?

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Top coat, Top hat,
And I don't worry cause my wallets fat.
Black shades, white gloves,
lookin' sharp, lookin' for love.
They come runnin' just as fast as they can
cause every girl is crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man.

"Sharp Dressed Man" by ZZ Top

Ah, the story of "Dressed for Success" is one that we can all appreciate. I have heard that you should never dress for your current joy, you should dress for your next job. I have heard that there's nothing like a fifty dollar shine on a ten dollar pair of boots. I have heard it said that pastors should always dress well to project an air of professionalism because successful professionals only want to associate with other successful professionals. I have heard that you should always wear a belt, carry a handkerchief, and have a dime on you so you can make a call if you need to.

Then again, that last bit came from the late 70's when there were pay phones and calls were just a dime. Sometimes the best advice falls out of favor, it just doesn't matter any more.

I have also been told that the Lord our God was crucified atop a garbage heap wearing only a covering for his loins. What does our God consider "dressing for success?"

Jesus tells us that God loves all creation. It can be seen in a field of wildflowers. Such tableau of color, such a variety of texture, such a glorious aroma comes from the love the Creator has for creation. If this is what God does with dirt and sun and water, imagine how God dresses us?

What we wear everyday? That's the emperor's new clothes; God dresses us in love. We are created to be in a loving relationship with God. God's love overflowed so bountifully and so graciously that we were created to share that love.

Yes, there are times when we feel like we have been strapped to the tree of woe wearing nothing but a loin cloth and three nails. We feel like we have been forsaken by God. Yet, even in all of this, our promise is in redemption. Our promise is that there are people who are sent to shine the light of Christ. Our promise is that it is there. Our promise is that even in our faithlessness God has faith in us.

Even in the darkness, that's worth having faith in. Believe me, I know.