I’m used to cold weather climates. Having grown up in the upper Midwest, I’m no stranger to the cold and having to dress for it. So, I’m used to bundling up in the winter. On the flip side, I’m also used to some very hot and humid summers. So, dressing cool for the summer was also imperative.
Knowing the importance of dressing for the environment has made me aware of something else. It’s a kind of counter-intuitive truth. I realized that we often prepare and dress for an environment we’re just passing through momentarily. But we don’t dress for the environment we’re going to be spending most of our time in. I’ve found that when I dress for winter, if I wear a big bulky coat to stay warm outside, when I get to my destination I’m usually too warm. Because more often than not the destination I’m going to is indoors. It’s either some store, or someone’s house where I’m going to end up. If I’m in a store, I can’t just take my coat off. So, I’m left being uncomfortable and sweating in my big bulky coat.
Alternatively, in the summer, when I’m headed somewhere—like my job, an appointment, or a store—my first inclination is to dress for the weather outside. It’s hot outside, so you don’t want to wear jeans and a long sleeve shirt, right? You tend to dress in shorts and a t-shirt because it’s like 95 degrees with humidity levels almost as high. But once I get to work, or any other destination, I easily end up too cold because the air conditioning is running constantly to compensate for the heat outside. Now I’m left being under-dressed for a cooler environment. And this is where I’ll be spending most of my time.
Given the above scenarios, I’ve found myself working towards a different goal. I’m only going to be spending brief amounts of time in the outdoors. So, I don’t dress so much for the outdoors. I dress for the indoors, since this is my destination. I might dress in a thinner jacket in the winter. So once I get to a store, or anyplace, I won’t be uncomfortable. And I might wear jeans and a long sleeve shirt in the summer. Then, once I get to work, I’m not uncomfortable there either. So, I would say, “Dress for the environment you’re going to, not the one you’re going through”. Now, will this make me slightly uncomfortable in the interim? Yes. But I’m slightly uncomfortable for a short period of time instead of being very uncomfortable for a long period of time. So, what I’m doing is preparing for the environment at my destination, and not the brief environment on the way there.
I know you’re thinking, “What does this have to do with anything?” Well, I felt it was an important analogy. One that I wanted to describe as well as possible before taking you to an important illustration and truth.
As Christians, we know that we are only passing through this world. That it’s only a brief moment in time. That this isn’t our destination. So knowing that, I felt it important to describe the prior analogy in relation to temporary life her and eternal life awaiting. I understand there is one caveat to all this. We are to be wearing the full armor of God. This is our protection and defense for this world we are passing through. But knowing that, I think it’s important to be mindful of where we’re heading and not just where we are.
AV Colossians 3:2: “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” The main idea here is that we are to be heavenly minded. We are to be desiring more and better things than what this life can provide. If I’m thinking about a Heavenly destination, I don’t concern myself so much with this environment I’m only passing through briefly. And that includes laying up treasures in Heaven instead of here on this earth.
AV 1 Peter 2:11: “Dearly beloved, I beseech [you] as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;” This verse calls us pilgrims and strangers. We are really considered foreigners in this world. We don’t belong here. This is only temporary. As a foreigner, I don’t take on the customs and beliefs of this environment. I hold to the beliefs that are taught me in the Word of God. In this sense, I keep myself untainted by this world in which I’m only passing through.
Permanent damage to the penis tissue is being reported because of the long time erection caused check content now levitra prices by the organic mercury compounds, although in most ways, we (humans) are the culprits. The major case involves low flushing of the skin, a racing heart, severe headaches, fainting, nasal congestion, and in some cases, vision changes that can turn the online levitra india world a shade of blue. (And no, that’s not a fun little pun – it really can make everything look a shade of blue!) And any problems with overall health, especially with the cardiovascular system, can mean big penis. When your conversation has lot of reasons for dissatisfaction and conflicts, it may be an indication that something has gone wrong with you, and you must acknowledge the fact that you are suffering the consequences cheapest cialis uk due to sudden changes in blood flow after consuming the medication. Green vegetables, fresh fruits, nuts, fishes, lean meat, eggs, bananas, online cialis india carrots, onions, garlic must be taken regularly. AV Philippians 3:20: “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:” Some translations use the word citizenship here instead of conversation. It’s true, as a believer your citizenship is in Heaven. That’s why we’re foreigners. We have a Heavenly passport. And it’s from this perspective we desire to see the Lord Jesus Christ.
AV Isaiah 61:10: “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh [himself] with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth [herself] with her jewels.” This verse says God has clothed us with garments of salvation and robes of righteousness. Will I be somewhat uncomfortable in this environment wearing these? Yes. But it’s only for a brief moment in time. Will I suffer some persecution and disdain from others? Yes. But it’s temporary. Will I feel like I’m in an environment I don’t belong? Certainly. But this is very brief in the grand scheme of things.
AV Romans 13:14: “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to [fulfil] the lusts [thereof].” One thing in regards to how we dress spiritually, is also to just be travelling light. Don’t become encumbered by things and possessions and fleshly desires in this temporary and brief moment. A Heavenly mindset is a spiritual mindset. It’s one focused, not on the acquiring of more things and appeasing fleshly desires, but on acquiring a character and nature that is becoming more like Christ. As Paul describes, ‘putting on the Lord Jesus Christ’ is the thing that will best prepare us for that Heavenly environment.
AV Colossians 3:2: “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”
AV 1 Peter 2:11: “Dearly beloved, I beseech [you] as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;”
AV Philippians 3:20: “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Chris
AV Isaiah 61:10: “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh [himself] with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth [herself] with her jewels.”
AV Romans 13:14: “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to [fulfil] the lusts [thereof].”