Hebrews 13:5a “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have.”
Window Shopping Encounters!
In the downtown of a country setting, two men were to meet within an upscale store. Looking through the thick glass door window so we see the splendor and variety of expensive men’s suits and accessories.
After a few moments of observation, we enter then through the large wooden door in front of us and are greeted by the following sight. A young man is seen approaching an older man who’s just walked in.
Watching him closely turn to the left, he then stood proudly behind the single, window display. There smiling broadly, he beheld a stunning white jacket made of the finest materials.
Although clearly noticing this store’s only employee behind him, still the polished gentleman did nothing to acknowledge his presence. Then, with an air of carefully cloaked contempt, he simply motioned for the jacket to be removed from its hanger and given to him.
But! This “not so subtle” act of superiority wasn’t lost on the young man. Motionless was his response then…and Silence as his reply, he eventually DID move this shorter, bullying-type into turning around.
And “Noticeably upset” is quite the understatement to describe his face. He was like a boiling iron kettle, bubbling over with acid filled stares and corrosive language. He’d never been ignored by someone so “inconsequential.” So it was took a full minute’s passing till he could actually exhale.
And all the while, the salesman said nothing…at all. So when his verbal onslaught and brutal tirade had run its course and overstayed it’s unwelcome half second, he inhaled deeply and drilled his gaze through the inexperienced eyes looking back at him.
But there was no fearful, reflex action seen or intimidated reaction witnessed and this served to reignite his fury unexpectedly. Now! Now he could barely restrain his anger from boiling over as before. But…with a deep and measured inhale and exhale again, he set himself to task…getting the white jacket in the window.
However, completely forgetting that he’d just verbally vomited all over this silent listener, he burst outwards again at just a slightly lower volume.
“Look! It’s obvious I want that jacket and am waiting on you to get it down for me, I want to try it on!” Still not getting an answer he decided to calm himself and spoke the following words.
“Ok. Perhaps your deaf or mute, I don’t know and don’t care. But if not either of those, what’s the problem? This suit I’m wearing is worth far more than that jacket.”
I’m a successful business man, drive an expensive car and just. Want. To. Try. That. Jacket. on.” With an dismissive hand wave, he added, “What you got here isn’t better than what I already have! So! Just hand it over!”
The young man bowed his head for a second and simply replied, “you see it’s not for me or even someone else to wear.”
This was not what he’d wanted to hear. It stunned him that he’d not been talking to a wall but more so given what he was told! The young man continued.
“It’s not for anyone to wear but It reminds me that my Jesus is coming back to take me there. To heavens open doors with streets of gold and shores so warm…
So this white jacket reflects my guaranteed Hope of recieving HIS robe of righteousness which HE will give me on that glorious day!
Then, without a further word, the well dressed man abruptly strode over to the display and roughly pulling the jacket off of its hangar. In doing so, however…the right sleeve tore visibly.
Finally falling into silence, the arrogant hand that had caused this…suddenly opened and the jacket fell to the wooden floor. And at the same time, his mouth opened…yet at a complete loss for words. Even his heart recognized the immensity of his fault.
Yet as several moments continued to pass awkwardly like wrecked oil tankers adrift after a storm, the youthful store without expressing any shock or disappointment, let alone anger…spoke on.
“My friend…you shouldn’t want that symbolic jacket as much as you do. The tearing of its sleeve is proof.”
These corrective words did not cause further discord as the offender had lowered his pride at last to truly listen. Instinctively then he asked, “Which one SHOULD I want, according to you?”
“The only one that matters!” came the impassioned reply.
“CHRIST’s robe of righteousness which HE shall give all those who call on HIS NAME. Yes, those who humble themselves as HE did…who serve and treat others far better than self!”
As the oil tankers drifting a bit farther in time, the wealthy man laid 7 crisp $100 bills on the table below the jacket’s hanger. He ever so slightly smiled back to the young man and empty-handed…silently shuffled through the door and was gone.
With no other customers in the store, the “I’m praying for that man, LORD. I pray he will come back for both this jacket….and yours!” Then he turned and picked up the perfectly repaired jacket, now seamlessly resown, and put it back in the window for display.
As he strolled back to the register, he whispered softly, “Who’s next, LORD?”
As HIServant eagerly awaiting the perfect transformation which HIS robes of righteousness will grant us,
Whitney
Devotional: Isaiah 61:10a “I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, my soul will exult in my GOD; for HE has clothed me with garments of salvation, HE has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness…”
Hebrews 13:5 “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For HE HIMSELF has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Simply put, the only perfect jacket or pristine robe one could dream of is hand and heart tailored by CHRIST for each one of us. So let us serve with gladness, speaking good and encouragement to all.
Yes, let us look expectantly for HIS robe of righteousness to be place upon our shoulders as HE whispers in our ear, “Well done, good and faithful servant! Welcome to the Joy of your MASTER! Yes, well done!” (Matthew 25:23)
Amen and amen!
2CJC 