The Real Fitting Room

I've been thinking some about fashion. One, because it's fun. It's a little bit mindless to me. (Don't get me wrong, i LOVE clothes. I love shoes. I LOVE fashion blogs. ) But i've been thinking about it because it's Greenville's fashion event this week---Fashion on the TOWN. It's a 3 night event where women (and some men) will dress in their most prized outfit and gallvant around town and enter stores adorned with a red carpet entrance. Don't worry, limos will be in tow. It's a wonderful event that helps local retailers (see---glass half full. :)) So, why am i feeling so skeptical this morning? So disenchanted by the whole thing?

I've been involved in it. This whole fashion event. I wore an outfit this morning for a local television show. I went to the kickoff party last night. And PLEASE believe me when i say i write none of this to say "ooo look at me!" I'm writing to try and process some of it. It's EASY to get swept up in a world of cocktail parties and dancing and fancy dresses and ice sculptures and reality TV stars in attendance and a beautiful venue. But i feel empty after all of it. Maybe that's a good thing. Maybe it's a sign that i'm growing up. Maybe doing the same old thing doesn't work anymore. Maybe getting caught up in a world that seems fake doesn't work anymore. Maybe being real--being authentic--being genuine--is what it's all about.

It's not about exchanging niceties and "Oh you look wonderful...no YOU look wonderful!" That's just not what it's about for me anymore. I want to know the person on the inside. When i ask how you're doing, i actually want to know how you're doing. Fake people are great at a party....not in every day life though. Right?

So i'm doing this Bible study called The Fitting Room. And it's about clothing ourselves in the virtues. Clothing ourselves with what's important. We spend so much time worrying about what we will wear (I do, atleast), and not enough time worrying about what's on the inside--about what we look like and not about what we are doing to grow. To become who we really are. Who God designed us to be. Who we really want to become. I'm finding that it's really a very simple idea...this whole concept of worrying more about what's in our hearts than what's on our bodies. It's pretty basic, but i want to write it on my heart and not forget it. Not get caught up in worldly things. What REALLY clothes us? What defines us? I believe in a God that wants to "fit" us for our futures. That longs to bless us beyond comprehension. If we'll just let Him.

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:12.