A Rainy Morning Lesson on Vanity
It’s Sunday morning. Last night I laid the clothes out that I’m wearing to church this morning. It’s an early one. I must be there to sign in by 7:30 am. I’m doing my best to give away clothes that I haven’t worn in a year, so I pull out an outfit I haven’t worn this summer. I want to keep this one. It’s a navy blue and white dress and jacket. My accessories are white. After all, it’s summer and white is in! I pin on a brooch that my mother-in-law gave me. I quickly take a photo of the brooch on my jacket and send it to my sis-in-law to show mom and to tell her I’m thinking of her today. Now, all set to go!
You know the saying “If you want it to rain, then wash your car.” And, this morning I coined the phrase “If you want it to rain, then wear white”, because as I step out to my car, it’s suddenly pouring down rain. Thank you, Lord, for the rain, but I return to my closet to change to navy blue shoes instead of the white ones. A rainy day typically means cozy up with a good book and comfy clothes. But this day I’m dolled up for God’s house and hearing from His good Book, from my cozy pew.
I’m at church early. I sign in as a server and greeter and then nestle into my pew. I kneel to offer thanksgiving, then I read today’s scriptures. The words that jump off the page are from Ecclesiastes 1, “Vanity of vanities”, says Qoheleth, “everything is vanity!” (FYI — vanity means excessive pride in or admiration of one’s appearance or achievements.) Immediately, I hear my Father’s loving and gentle correction about my own vanity this morning. I was so fixated on what I’m wearing on the outside rather than Who I’m wearing on the inside.
Then I read the scripture from Colossians 3:1 “If you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.” So my good BOOK, continues to teach me a better way of living, I don’t think for a minute that desiring to look good is an issue to God. He wants us to be appealing and bearing His light to the world. But I always know when He is helping me be better — just like we gently help our little ones to do and be better. I know He loves me so much that He is always setting me straight on what my priorities should be.
Our pastor put the icing on the cake that God had already baked for me — especially as he, too, honed in on the “vanity of vanities” scripture. He said, “We must be careful with our priorities: in our home, our wealth, our possessions, or the way we look.” He added: “When I sit by someone who is dying, never do they talk about their house or car or degree, their wealth or what to wear. They always talk about their children and relationships with others — the treasures they have stored up in heaven. That’s sure where I want my treasures stored! I’m humbled…again!