Getting Dressed

Author: Mark Fenstermacher
March 11, 2022

As a blue jeans guy, I generally don’t have to think very much about what I am going to wear the next morning. As someone who shrugs in the face of whatever happens to pass for clothing trends, I’m a blue jeans, loafers, sweater (winter), or golf shirt (summer) guy.

Interestingly enough, the Apostle Paul uses the image of getting dressed to describe what it means to be a Jesus follower. Living out our faith each day isn’t, Paul suggests, an automatic thing. It’s not like slipping into blue jeans day after day but it requires a decision. It is all about intentionality.

In Romans 13, Paul tells the early Christians to “cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” Then, in verse 14, Paul writes, “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ.”

I thought about getting dressed in an intentional, thoughtful way as I read an article about compassion. In an age when political enemies demonize one another, when some religious groups use the name of “God” to condemn, judge, and exclude others, and when too many shrug at the pain and suffering of others, I believe God is calling each of us to live out compassion—concern and empathy for others—in our daily lives.

Compassion can be born out of our own wounds, Peter Marty wrote recently in a magazine article back in February. In other words, our own experiences with hardship, disappointment, and failure can help us be more understanding of others.

When people followed Jesus, it wasn’t because of his strategic gifts as a highly organized leader but because they were drawn to him by his compassion, Peter Marty observes in the 2/9/2022 issue of Christian Century.

“He cared for the crowds from the deepest parts of his being,” Marty writes. Bonhoeffer talked about Christ’s “large-heartedness.”

“Developing this compassion takes practice and intentionality, so that our hearts actually open up and behave benevolently.  

“One way to nurture compassion is to be honest about the adversity in our lives. Reckoning with our own hardship and suffering better prepares us to express empathy for others who know adversity.”

Compassion doesn’t come automatically to us. That’s why the NT says to dress in the clothing of compassion every day.

Maybe you are a blue jean woman or guy. Maybe you don’t give much thought to what you will put on in the morning. I would suggest that the world would be a better place, and Christ would be glorified, if we took an extra moment to put on compassion each day before we head out the door.

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THINGS TO KNOW:

“Full to the Brim” is our Lenten theme. Pick up your resources for Lent. You’ll find family resources in a paper sack and adult devotional booklets and prayer cards on a table between the Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall. Join us for worship at either 8:45 (Sanctuary) or 10:45 (Chapter 2).

A new men’s group for “young-ish” guys is meeting each Sunday in Lent at 10 am in Room #007. Join us as we explore what it means to keep Christ at the center of our work life, family life, money life, and play life.

Looking for a place to connect? Join our “Front Porch Class” on Sunday mornings at 10 am. Drop in occasionally or attend each week: each week we explore a “stand alone” lesson/topic!

IMPACT Student Ministry has several fun things happening with proceeds going to church camp in June and their mission trip to Fairbanks, Alaska on July 9 through 15.

• A Rise'n Roll Fundraiser throughout March with delivery/pick up on April 12 (just in time for Easter). Orders can be placed at the Welcome Center or church office or with any of the youth mission team.
• Trivia Night on April 2 from 6-8 pm. Teams of up to 8 people can register by March 27. $100 per team includes the cost of snacks and drinks. The winners will get a prize!

We are so pleased to announce that the Reverend Rob Barton of Mt Olive UMC (Marion, Indiana) has been appointed as Lead Pastor of Auburn First by Bishop Julius Trimble effective September 1st. Pastor Mark will be extending his time here to provide pastoral leadership during the time between July 1st and September 1st. Rob is married to Lesley, and they have five children. Watch for a letter with more information.

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