HAND ME DOWN
What it means to be CHOSEN
June 23rd, 2023
Colossians 3:12-14, ‘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.’ (MSG)
WORN
How fitting that I would be sharing about hand-me-downs on my birthday. I have wrestled with this all my life.
I grew up with two older brothers, so no, not hand-me-downs like clothing. I mean, I got the typical t-shirt or flannel or jacket my brothers outgrew to play around the yard in and to do chores in and wear camping. I donned their passed-down gloves and hats and snowsuits to go play in the snow in and for downhill and cross-country skiing. I got their books and bikes and unfavorable looks from teachers who muttered, “Oh, don’t tell me, another Gott kid!” I played tackle football and hid in piles of fall leaves and could swing an axe just like my brothers. But Momma sewed me dresses and bought me pink and flowery things. She played baby dolls and barbies with me, and we had tea parties and baked together on occasion, and I did housework while the boys shoveled snow and worked on the vehicles with my dad.
What I struggled all my life with, though, was the feeling of being used, worn, second-hand, not good enough, leftover. I think I arrived in the world striving, always second best. I don’t recall much contentment in my life and always measured myself against everyone else’s ruler. I had to please everyone, and couldn’t let anyone down, and if someone would happen to feel disappointment because of me, it caused me great angst, trying to make up for it, even lying to avoid failing others even more.
I’ve spent my life imprisoned behind alternating invisible bars made of competition and contention, attempt and effort an iron lock and key. How amazing being freed from this bondage by a God of grace and second chances. He took the raveling, threadbare, worn hand-me-downs I hid behind as I came undone, and wrapped me instead in His extravagant love and exquisite gentleness, clothing me with garments of praise and dressing me with His redemption. How kind that He would set me free from myself, from all-consuming and strident requirements of myself to be impossibly perfect. I have let down so many people in my lifetime, and to no longer feel buried beneath the weight of my shortcomings and unforgiveness is like walking out of a tomb into the light. And greater still is knowing He stands at the finish line and cheers me on after all the chains that bound me fell to the ground.
Psalm 138:8, ‘The Lord will perfect that which concerns me.’
you are His REMNANT
