Lint

Lint

3:44

“Your adornment must not be merely external—with interweaving and elaborate knotting of the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or [being superficially preoccupied with] dressing in expensive clothes;”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬, ‭AMP‬‬.

I like the word “merely,” in this passage. I’d like to think Peter learned from his wife that “getting ready in the morning,” had some importance. Though it shouldn’t be an all-consuming activity. It would do all of us well to be less focused on our outward appearance, and more focused on our inward beauty.

With that said, let’s pretend we have all just finished having a wonderful time in God’s word, and are now currently filled with God’s intention for our day. As we leave the house, we forget a jacket or wrap. We rush back inside due to a surprise change in the weather.

Once in the dry car, we notice that our covering has lint all over it. I’m not judging those who shake out their garment and move on with their day is wrong. Nor am I judging those who fret about having their outward covering dotted with white specks—lint.

I just happen to be in the latter group.

As I walked into church, I saw tape sitting on one of our receptionists' desks and thought "This will suffice since I don't have a lint brush with me."

Suffice it to say I learned as I began to remove the lint that there are different types. There are those pieces that are easily removed, and those that are a bit more stubborn.

As I worked to spruce up my garment, the Holy Spirit whispered, “Isn’t this like you? Some sin easily falls away; others need a bit more tugging.”

I thought, “I have such a wise counselor in the Holy Spirit, instructing me on my path of righteousness. I was reminded to keep on removing that which the LORD shows me to remove. Don’t give up halfway justifying that it's good enough. Make sure that even the sin that has weaved its way in is dealt with.”

How about you? Have you “de-linted” your life lately? Have you removed those specks that can so easily entangle us?

Father,

Thank You for allowing us to call You Father. It is an honor. Thank You for sending us Your very Spirit. Help us to take these offerings as precious gifts.

I believe that You work all things together for Your glory, even linty clothes.

Continue to lead us on Your path of righteousness, for Your name’s sake.

Guard and protect Your church, and help us to grow, and groom together.

Amen.