When I was ten years old, my favorite movie was Annie. I loved everything about that movie — the singing, the dancing, even the villains. My favorite villain was Miss Hannigan, the woman who ran the orphanage, played by Carol Burnett. Absolute comedy genius, that Carol Burnett. I’m giggling right now just thinking about her!
My favorite song from the movie was Tomorrow. I would sing that song whenever and wherever I could get away with it. But the song that stands out as I write this article is another one of my favorites: You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile. In the movie, the girls at the orphanage turn on their favorite radio show and dance, tumble, laugh, and sing along with Bert Healy and the Boylin Sisters, finding joy amid their despairing circumstances. The only one not enjoying the singing and fun was the angry, bitter, and abusive Miss Hannigan.
In case you don’t know the song at all, here’s a snippet of the lyrics:
Who cares what they're wearing
On Main Street or Seville row
It's what you wear from ear to ear
And not from head to toe that matters
I didn’t grow up in a wealthy family, so we didn’t have extra of anything. I had just enough clothes for the five days of school, some weekend play clothes, and a few Sunday dresses. During the week I would rotate my outfits to make sure I didn’t accidentally wear the same outfit on the same day of the week, thus having the “Monday outfit”, the “Tuesday outfit”, etc. So, when I watched Annie and saw these girls with nothing singing about how smiling is what really completes your outfit, I was inspired! I made a decision to clothe myself with a smile as often as possible.
That same year (fourth grade), I was voted class favorite. When our family moved away from that small town when I was in seventh grade, I received numerous notes and messages from my friends. None of them said a word about my clothing, but each of them commented on how kind I was and that they would remember me as someone joyful, funny, and a true friend.
In Colossians 3, the Apostle Paul talks about the idea of putting on the characteristics of Christ, much like we put on clothing when he says:
“As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another, and if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:12-14
Paul also adds to this list being thankful, practicing wisdom, expressing gratitude through singing, and doing everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.
I wonder how our attitudes and mindsets would be affected if we intentionally thought about wearing the characteristics of Christ like we wear clothing. How might our moods and countenances be impacted if, as we got dressed in the morning, we imagined ourselves also “putting on” compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience—choosing them in the same way we choose what shoes we’re going to wear?
There’s also another key element to this that I don’t want you to miss. A few verses earlier, Paul says:
“But now you must get rid of… anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator.” Colossians 3:8-10
When we are in Christ, we get a brand-new wardrobe! Too often, though, we accept the new clothing, and then from time-to-time, we’ll reach back and grab the old, worn-out clothes that were never intended for us. Paul reminds us that, as new creations, we’re not supposed to hang on to the old. We must strip it off and get rid of it. Because of Christ's work in you, that’s not who you are anymore. Dress according to who you are in Christ.
Let’s do a thought experiment for a moment. Imagine someone who has chosen to clothe themselves in anger, slander, and abusive language. Now imagine what facial expressions go with these attitudes. Do you have a picture in mind? I’m going to venture a guess that the face you’re seeing does not look joyful or, kind or compassionate. It might actually look a lot like Miss Hannigan! Now, ask yourself what you want your face to look like. Is that the way you want others to perceive you and experience you?
Put on Christ’s characteristics. Choose them every day, and as you make that choice, you’ll notice the Spirit of God doing a good and beautiful work in you. Give to others what you have received from Christ. Your relationships will be strengthened, you’ll react to difficult situations and interactions with less anxiety and fear, and I bet you’ll notice that what you put into the world comes back to you.
You can do it, friends! I’m rooting for you! [Big smile.]
Comentarios