Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 
Colossians 3:12-14

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Lately, all I want to do is sit in my chair, research the Bible, and lean into God’s presence all day long… because it is only when I get up and start interacting with humankind that I start to sin.

Just the other day, I raised my fist as a person behind me honked because I didn’t go through a yellow light as he had hoped. It’s a common problem I have with terrible drivers—can you sense my sarcasm?  I often mutter to God then, “Why oh why, God, is my spiritual progress so slow? I’m leaning into seventy years, come on!” I can’t help but think that God is chuckling, because He knows that I’m a chief sinner; it isn’t an “up and to the right” trajectory for me with the sin thing. 

At this point in life, I do have a coffee, Bible, and prayer habit, even before I put on my clothes. I’ve learned that progress in spiritual things seems, at best, incremental. My earthly father and my Heavenly Father have always taught me that “honesty is the best policy,” so often I talk out the “debris” in my heart, while praying (thank you, Megan Marshman.) 

So… when I put on my clothes every morning, I pray: “Lord sanctify me: help me to be more like Jesus today.” Praying while getting dressed reminds me to “do good” and “pray without ceasing.” 

First John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” And, Isaiah 61:10 reads, “We have been clothed with His righteousness.” 

No, none of us will be sinless on this side of Heaven, but God is working on our kinks along with us here on Earth. And someday, we will look into His eyes and He will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” This I am beyond a shadow of a doubt sure of. 

Next Steps

Do you have physical reminders, like putting on clothes to pray? My neighbor told me that as he crosses our little lake’s bridge every morning, he stops and takes the opportunity to pray for his neighbors and for the health of our lake, which we have been working on all summer. The bridge is his reminder. 

Maybe you can try worship music on “for size” this week. When I put on music every day, it moves my heart closer to Him.