The Uniform of Life!

Switching from a uniformed job to a regular clothes job can be a bit of a head-scratcher. What’s the big deal? Well, let me tell you a bit about my background. I spent 20 years in a law enforcement uniformed job, so I didn’t have to think about what to wear. Everything was already planned out for me. I just had to wash, dry, and pop them in the cleaners when it was time to head to work put them on. Life was pretty straightforward until I got a regular clothing job, and now I’m feeling the stress. Now, I have to decide what to wear each day, and it’s just a lot to handle. I’m constantly worrying about whether this outfit is right, if it’s too flashy or too understated, and then I just give up and pick something. I really miss my uniform days, but at the same time, I don’t.

It was one of those days when I was searching for an outfit to wear to work and became frustrated with the decision. Then, a thought struck me: how many jackets do I own? I counted 17 sport jackets and blazers, and 10 suits. My initial frustration transformed into gratitude. I don’t know why I counted the number of jackets and suits I own, but it was as if the Holy Spirit was reminding me of a scripture verse:

Matthew 6:25-26 (NIV) 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

How easily do we get entangled in trivial matters of the world, such as clothing? I found myself frustrated about what to wear, but as you can see, I have an abundance of options. Lord Jesus teaches us that we shouldn’t be overly concerned with how we appear to the world. Instead, we should focus on how our lives reflect Him. Are we prioritizing our outward appearance over the state of our souls? Is the heavenly Father concerned about our clothing, food, and other material needs? Absolutely! However, the Heavenly Father is more concerned with our lives being lived for Him rather than being consumed by worldly desires.

In conclusion, it’s perfectly acceptable to be presentable with our clothing and to have a varied diet. However, the Heavenly Father doesn’t want us to become overly fixated on these aspects. Instead, He wants us to prioritize His will over our food choices and clothing.

Next Step:

What specific worries or anxieties are holding you back from experiencing the Heavenly Father’s peace?  Consider how you can actively practice trusting in God’s provision in your daily life. 

God bless you, God keep you. God loves you and I love you too!