“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;” -Colossians 3:12 (KJV)

Friend, every morning you make a decision about what you’re going to wear. But before you step into the day, God invites you to put on something far more important than a shirt, a jacket, or a pair of shoes. He calls you to clothe yourself with the character of Christ.

Paul reminds us that we are God’s chosen people, holy and beloved. Notice that he doesn’t tell us to earn God’s love. He reminds us that we already have it. Because we belong to Christ, we can live differently.

Put on mercy when someone disappoints you. Put on kindness when the world seems harsh. Put on humility when pride tries to take over. Put on meekness when anger rises. Put on patience when life doesn’t move at your pace.

These aren’t qualities we manufacture by sheer determination. They are the fruit of a heart that stays close to Jesus. The more time we spend with Him, the more we begin to reflect Him.

So as you go through today, ask yourself, “What am I wearing?” May the people around you see compassion instead of criticism, grace instead of bitterness, and the love of Christ shining through every conversation and every choice you make.

You may never know whose life will be changed simply because you chose to wear the character of Christ today.