by: Annwen Quilliam
“Let’s all dress up for Heritage Day in our traditional outfits!”
I am filled with dread and mild panic every time I have heard this sentence coming from a well-meaning colleague. I think of all the saris and beaded jewellery, the bold patterns, and bright headdresses. Items of clothing that represent the history and culture of a group or nation passed down from one generation to the next. What can I wear? Head to toe Woolworths? Veldskoens? An Isle of Man T-shirt? What would be the outward expression of my heritage that could show those in the office what has been given to me by those in my lineage?
So, if we are children of God, we belong to the family of Christ. As Christians we are citizens of heaven who get their heritage from a long line of believers. And we should ‘dress’ like believers too.
As believers we too can ‘suit up’ to show others our heritage in Christ. There is not one day dedicated to wearing our traditional outfit as believers but rather every day we should dress in the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, cover our feet in the gospel of peace, carry the shield of faith, put on the helmet of salvation, and pick up the sword of the spirit (word of God). Our Heritage outfit is given to us in Ephesians 6, so leave that Springbok jersey in the cupboard and put on the armour of God daily. Paul was telling the church in the city of Ephesus, and us, to be alert and to fight against the devil’s schemes. The armour of God is not only in defence but also in celebration of what we gain as believers that should be passed on to and shown to others. At the end of the chapter Paul tells the church of Ephesus, and us, to pray.
Let me channel a red-carpet fashion correspondent for a moment and ask, “Can you tell us about your outfit?”
Today I have on a lovely Belt of Truth, which helps me to ask God for His wisdom and discernment against the devils lies. He loves to lie to us that one, and this belt lets me know Gods truth over the lies.
I also have a custom-made Breastplate of righteousness, which comes in handy when Satan is trying to make me question my identity in Christ and undermine my self-worth. It really reminds me of my position in Christ and His unconditional love.
And you must see what I have on my feet! They are covered in the Gospel of Peace. Its special because they provide me with strength and boldness to praise God publicly. Because the enemy would rather keep me quiet and make me doubt myself, but not with the feet of Peace.
I’ve accessorised with a Sheild of faith that lets me admit my need for God’s help so that my own weaknesses cannot be used against me and lead me into the wrong behaviour. See how it shines and shows me that God will get me through those trials.
Now I know you see this as a hat but let me tell you and all the fashionable viewers out there, this is the Helmet of salvation. Because Satan loves to attack our thoughts with anxieties, faulty ideas, and fears. So, I got the creator to make this helmet of salvation so that my mind will be focused not on the things of this world but rather on God.
And lastly, I am wearing a one-of-a-kind Sword of the spirit. Our inheritance through Christ is powerful but Satan wants us to be scared, confused, and forget what God has told us. SO, when I dress in the sword of the Spirit, God fills me with confidence to declare His word and speak about His promises for my life and yours.
As believers we have an outfit to wear, rooted in our heritage that covers us and reminds us of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Let your prayer life cloth you fully from head to toe in truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation and may you be filled with the Holy Spirit. Our custom designed outfit as believers shines bright for others to see who we belong to and who we live for. This outfit is stain resistant, it just washes off white as snow, its crease proof, protects us and is made from truth.
Prayer: Lord, thank you that we have a rich heritage as believers. That our earthly culture, clothing and lineage falls away and we become a family of Christ followers. Every day I will pray for the belt of truth, your wisdom and discernment. I pray for the breastplate of righteousness that reminds me I am a child of God, loved so deeply by my creator. Let wherever I go be in peace but allow me to speak boldly about You. As I pick up the shield of faith through the trials let me pray for your strength knowing you will get me through. May my mind be focused on You and not on the things of this world and let me declare Your promises over my life and the lives of others, that they too may know salvation. Amen