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DH2's OHs...

Rev. Donna Hughes-Hargraves stream of thoughts... OH's!

OH… Do you ever beat up on yourself for not being a very good person? Do you ever wonder why it is so hard to live the life you are called to live as a Christian? I sure do. I see the possibilities, I have desires to be more loving and kind and gentle and it often does not get beyond wishing stage. Maybe you experience the same thing in your life. One of my favorite verses is Colossians 3:12, “ As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience”. There are two things I love about this verse: what it says about us and the physicalness of putting on love.

OH… First, we are called holy and beloved. That is you and I if we are followers of Jesus, God's chosen ones. Wow, doesn't that feel good. That's who we are! We are not unloved or unholy because of what we do or don't do, we are beloved and holy because of who's we are.

OH… So, out of that love we love others. Now it's not as simple as it sounds and yet it is. Colossians tells us that in order to be Christ-like, we clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience. Clothing ourselves implies an action, a daily action like putting on clothes every morning. You see, living a life that is Christ-centered takes a daily putting on of Christ. Each morning we can wake up and put on those things that will make us loving people. But, we have to do it each day. If you think getting a shot of God on Sunday and leaving it at that is going to make you the kind of person you hope to be, it's not going to happen. It's like keeping the same clothes on for a week. You don't feel good about yourself, you are not clean and you probably stink.

OH… Here are some things you can do to “clothe” yourself each day. Start out each day with God. It can be as easy as talking and listening to God on a walk or a run or a sit. Or you can have a short devotional time over breakfast or before everyone gets up. The trick is to make room for Christ in your life and then you can “put on” this holy clothing and you can be the good person, the loving person God calls you to be.

OH… Here's the kicker… to make room for Christ in your life, you may have to move something else out. You may have to give something else up: like some TV time, some sleep, some visiting time, you know what you can do without. I promise you it is worth it. You spend time with Jesus everyday and you will be clothed in compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience. Very nice clothes!

Looking to put on some new clothes,

Rev. Donna H2