“All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop,  but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.” Matthew 6:28-29 (MSG)

Do we truly believe that we can make ourselves more desirable than we really are? Do clothes really make us attractive? If we think so, we are missing the boat. Trying to be attractive so that people notice us is a waste of time. We are only made genuinely attractive by our actions of love, by following in the steps of our Heavenly Father. Either we are genuine, or we are simply pretending.

It’s true though that we were far from attractive when we wandered in utter darkness; however, once we encountered the Risen One face to face, our existence charged direction. We received a new wardrobe from high above. “Now you’re dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete. . .  So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline.” Colossians 3:10,12 (MSG)  This is how we know that we have met The Risen One. Only then are we comparable with the beauty of flowers that far exceeds the beautiful of fashion.

What’s the better choice: To be fashionable, or to live a genuine life filled with love?

It was Mother’s Day, and the visiting missionary had brought pearl necklaces made in Bangladesh. The price was 40$. 20$ for the cost of the pearls, and 20$ to help the people of Bangladesh. I looked at my wife and said: “It’s Mother’s Day. Let me give you a necklace.”

She was overwhelmed. She had never owned a pearl necklace before, and by the end of the service she had decided not to get one. She would give the 40$ solely to help the people in Bangladesh.

I looked into her eyes and told her: “Here is another 20$. Get that necklace and give the rest for the people of Bangladesh. I love you!”

My wife is beautiful with or without the pearls. Why? Because she has a heart for God. Now that’s a real compliment!

Rob Chaffart

(To access the entire “Majestic Mountain View” devotional series, please click here.)