Contemplative Bible Reading

1 Peter 3:3-4 (New Living Translation)

3 Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. 4 You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.

Women should not wear fill-in-the-blank-with-your-favorites.

And while we are at it, men should not wear same-blanks.

A few years ago, a man in our church died. He was in his 30s; he left behind a wife and two small children. Many people stood at his memorial service and spoke of him with tears and laughter.

Some people talked of how the young man helped them find jobs. Some spoke of an old car the young man gave them so that they could go to work and have hope. Some spoke of how the young man contacted others who provided clothing and food and shelter. Some spoke of how the young man spoke kind words that lifted their spirits on blue days.

Not a single person said anything like, “That guy was a sharp dressed man.”

What would someone say about me?