What Should I Wear?

by melissa bradshaw

If you have a hard time deciding what to wear, you are not alone. Some kids may have this problem more than others, but deciding what to wear can take time if you haven’t planned ahead.

When I was in elementary school, I remember waking up on school days to my mom’s voice: “It’s time to wake up! You don’t want to miss the bus and be late to school.” The first thing I wanted to do was roll over and pretend I didn’t hear her calling. But when I finally opened my eyes and sat up in bed, I would look down at the foot of my bed.

Sometime during the night or early morning my mom had laid out clothes for me to wear for the day. Sometimes I was happy to see what was there, but there was one outfit I didn’t like—cream-colored corduroy pants with red clocks and roosters on them. Those were the days I really wanted to roll over and go back to sleep! Regardless of whether I liked the pattern or not, I still had to get dressed.

Clothing became important after Adam and Eve disobeyed God and introduced sin into the world. Genesis 3:7 tells us they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. But God provided something better for them to wear—the skin of an animal, which would protect them from the extremes of heat and cold. Many believe it was from a lamb, a symbol of Jesus, who would one day give His life to take away our sins.

In the story of the prodigal son, when the wayward son returned home, his father took off the boy’s filthy clothes and covered him with the best robe he could find. This robe represents the righteousness of Jesus—His goodness covering our sin.

Jesus told another story in which a man arrived at a wedding without wearing the proper clothing and had to leave. This garment also represented Jesus’ righteousness. 

The most important clothes you will ever wear are not made of fabric. The Bible tells us to put on Christ (Galatians 3:27). Just like a king or queen dresses in a way that shows who they are, children of the King of the universe should show that they belong to Him.

So how do we “put on” Christ?

Colossians 3:12-14 tells us to put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness, and love. These are the clothes Jesus wants us to wear every day.

In Ephesians 6:10-18, we are told to put on the armor of God. Just as a soldier cannot safely go to war without armor, we cannot safely face the temptations that Satan hurls at us without putting on Jesus. Every day we need the protection of truth, faith, righteousness, salvation, and God’s Word. It is dangerous to face any day without wearing these clothes.

Just as my mom laid out my clothes each morning, God has already laid out the clothes you need for today. Before you start your day, choose to put them on.

Without Jesus we can do nothing (John 15:5). Take time to read your Bible and pray each day so that you don’t start your day spiritually unclothed. Because the most important thing you will ever wear . . . is Jesus.

Visit the link to find out what people wear in other parts of the world (mpwj.org/cww.26).

This article is provided by My Place with Jesus, a ministry of It is Written, a Christian media ministry based in Chattanooga, Tennessee that has been proclaiming the message of God’s love since 1956. Check out more fun and games on the My Place with Jesus website!