...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. Words like Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and irreligious, insider and outsider, uncivilized and uncouth, slave and free, mean nothing. From now on everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ.

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. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. Colossians 3:9-14 MSG

Hand-me-downs have always been a way of life for me. With two older sisters, I don’t remember much that was ever really my own. It never bothered me though, as I often loved when something I had admired on my older sister would finally be mine. Even now with my kids being three of a total of seventeen cousins, totes of clothes are ALWAYS being traded back and forth, and they love it! Sometimes I do have to get quite creative with safety pins, rubber bands and even staples when alterations are necessary!

Hand-me-downs in a big family can be a great blessing… but hand-me-downs in a church family, not so much. As you walk with your Christian brothers and sisters, do you ever find yourself admiring the gifts and talents someone else is wearing? Maybe the voice of your worship leader, the wisdom of your pastor, or the insight of your Bible study leader? Our Father, the Creator did not design for talents to be coveted, shared or handed down to each other. His plan is much greater than that, even though we do have an enemy who would like us to settle for that!

In Colossians, Paul tells us when we become Christians, we are now dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of our new way of life is CUSTOM-MADE by the Creator. Can you say, “Custom-made”, ladies? I can almost picture the jewel-encrusted, solid gold, “Made by God” label!

Have you ever worn something that has been custom-made for you? It’s like a second set of skin you never want to take off; and, oh, how your confidence soars! In the true fashion of a Creator, our God designed us to be clothed only in what He has made specifically for each of us!  Each talent and gift created to fit you perfectly is a custom fit to your personality, your heart and your soul. When we look to others for their talents, it’s like putting on hand-me-downs that never quite look the same when we put them on. But made of the highest quality, each piece of your God-made wardrobe not only fits like a glove, but each has the purest threads of compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength and discipline throughout, along with custom colors of even-temperedness, contentment and forgiveness. How does that sound for a new wardrobe? And don’t forget the “little black dress” of love, which is perfect for all occasions! Every girl needs a little black dress!

When we look TO GOD for the talents and giftings He has uniquely created for us to walk in, rather than to others around us, we not only find true comfort in our own skin, but we also walk in a freedom and anointed confidence to be who He fully and purposely created us to be… no alterations needed!

Spend some time with God journaling what talents and gifts you wish you had, and allow Him to speak directly to those longings. Then ask Him what wardrobe He has for you in the next season of your walk.

Enjoy this music video by Jonny Diaz, More Beautiful You.

Father, How I love Your creativity! How beautiful are the daisies of the fields. How majestic are the mountains. How breathtaking are Your starry nights. These are nothing like what You have custom-made for us to be. May we never settle for anything less. May we bring a smile to Your face and glory to Your name! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.