You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:22-24)

You probably give great thought to what you wear each morning.  How much thought goes into the “self” you put on?

One of my favorite stories is “Ragman,” by Walter Wangerin, Jr.  In it Jesus appears as a peddler trading fresh, clean clothes for old, filthy ones. You can see where this is going, because you are very perceptive.  As he travels, Jesus meets people broken in body, mind, and spirit.  He takes the old, foul rags with which they cover themselves.  As he does so, he takes their infirmities as well.  In exchange, he gives fresh, clean garments, and leaves healthy, whole people.

I love that story.  I love it best because of the truth in it.  God has a fresh, clean you for you to put on this morning.  Take the time to put it on.

Oh, and if it doesn’t quite fit yet, don’t worry.  You’ll grow into it.