Adorning Ourselves

ADORN English Definition: “1. To decorate with or as if with ornaments. 2. To enhance.” Greek Definition: “(2885) To put in proper order, i.e. to decorate (lit. or fig.); spec. to snuff (a wick):- adorn, garnish, trim.” From base of “(2865) (to tend, i.e. to take care of); prop. to provide for, i.e.(by impl.) to carry off (as if from harm; generally obtain);- bring, receive.” Key Scriptures for Study: I Timothy 2:9-10; Titus 2:10; I Peter 3:3-6 Life Picture: Birthday parties and ladies events, between the two, I spend most of my year planning parties. Dream up a theme, plan the details, and carry it out. One year we had a Hawaiian-themed birthday party, complete with cool drinks and sipping straws, a cabana cake, pineapple bowling, and luau music. On another occasion, we threw a mad hatter tea party with a long table complete with bright colors, croquette, tea bag toss, and a top hat craft. Both parties were a blast and something my girls are sure to remember for years to come. What made them so much fun? The theme was carried out throughout the party. Without the decorations of paper lanterns and leis or teapots and top hats, it would have been a little harder to set the tone for the event. If your goal is to have a fairytale princess-themed party, do you send out 50’s juke box invitations, offer cowboy hat favors, and play island limbo? No, it takes all things coming together to display one theme, the invites, the food, the games can all add to or take away from your guests enjoyment of an event. The wrong kind of party favors or cake decorations can confuse guests about the theme. It is in this theme party perspective that I would like to view the Biblical concept of adorning ourselves. What we wear, how we act, and what we say all contribute to the total experience of anyone who encounters us. What we put on sets the tone for what we stand for and can give us credibility when we proceed to talk about having a relationship with Christ. We are constantly setting the stage for our message. Are we enhancing and glorifying Him or are we confusing others? Our adornments on the outside should match what Christ has done for us on the inside. After evaluating what we say, wear, and how we act we may feel confident that two of the three areas are represented well and may not think that the third area is all that important, but as we saw earlier one thing that is not in sync with the rest sticks out all the more. If we dress and act appropriately but our speech shocks them into reconsidering what we are about, we have sent mixed messages. All we have done is confused the message of Christ. Just like the themed parties I plan, I want others to see Christ throughout their time with me, from first glance to last conversation. I want to adorn Christ. I want to embellish the gospel message not taint it. What about you? Prayer Lord, help us have the desire to represent you well. Do an inventory in our lives. Show us where our walk does not match how we dress. Transform us into women who adorn you with what we say, act, and wear. Thank you for using us to draw others to you. Help us not take that privilege lightly. Amen.