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.

Accessorizing to the Max...

My ten-year old daughter loves Claire's. Claire's is a mall chain store that has everything you ever thought of to accessorize any outfit from handbags, to shoes, to necklaces and earrings of all colors, shapes, and sizes. She received a gift card for her birthday and can not wait to spend it. This shopping adventure came to mind while I was reading in the book of I Timothy when I came across the word adorn. Claire's is the perfect adorning shop for a modern day outfit, but I Timothy 2 says that we should,as women adorn ourselves modestly, soberly, without gold and pearls. The next verse goes on to say we should instead array ourselves with good works. What a different kind of accessory store that would be. According to this scripture, My daughter and I should be spending more time looking for good works, purity, and godliness instead of earrings, purses, and shoes. I Peter 3 in the RSV gives the thought that we should be developing the "hidden person of the heart with the imperishable jewel of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious." I loved the wording of this verse. I want my daughter to be an imperishable jewel that God views as precious. How do I help make that happen? I need to take her shopping daily in the Word of God and help her pick out a gentle and quiet spirit, a spirit that represents inward beauty and not just outward adornment. I want her to be known by her inward,spiritual beauty not just her outward, physical beauty. I want her life to attract others to Christ. I believe this is the heart of what Paul was trying to convey in these scriptures. I do not only desire it for her but for myself as well. Maybe we should spend a little more time in God's accessory shop, the Bible ....and a little less time in Claire's!
2 Timothy 2:9-10 "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But(which becometh women professing godliness) with good works." KJV
Titus 2:10b "...that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things."KJV
Also Read I Peter 3:3-5