April 23

A Signature Piece

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. . . . And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity (Colossians 3:12, 14).

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Colossians 3:12-17

Song: “Blest Be the Tie That Binds”

My brother’s new girlfriend always looked as if she stepped off the pages of a fashion magazine. I wanted to know her secret— how could she look so put together all the time? Her answer surprised me.

“Oh, it’s the coat,” she said. I thought about it for a moment and realized that she did in fact wear a long, stylish coat on top of every outfit. She explained further, “My outfits are simple, but I invest a lot in coats because they really bring an outfit together.” She looked like a million bucks, not because she spent that much, but because she understood the value of a signature piece.

We can say that love is the signature piece for Christians. And when we put it on, everything else looks even better. Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience are vital, but love is the source from which these other virtues flow. When we put on love, our Christian life will attract others and draw them to the one who is love himself.

Father, as Your beloved child, I thank You that You have not only equipped me to display the attitudes of Your kingdom but You also call me to that life-long devotion. Since love is what matters most, I pray that all my actions and all my words would be marked by love. In the name of Jesus who shows me how, amen.