We have entered the amazing time known as the Great Minnesota Get-Together, otherwise known as the Minnesota State Fair. It is a time when usually rational people become a little crazed over food on a stick, standing at the feet of the prize winning, largest boar, and standing in reverence watching two women in snowmobile suits, one posing quietly while the other carves her likeness out of a block of butter. I'd show up every day if I could!
On Saturday we headed to the fairgrounds early. We like to arrive as all the building are opening, as the young people showing their animals are preparing them for judging. It was a cool and beautiful morning. As we walked through the sheep barn we came upon a category of judging that was new to us. The young people were showing their sheep while also wearing some form of wool clothing. Often the sheep also had a matching piece of clothing, a scarf, a bow tie, so the sheep and show-er looked like a couple. One young woman was described as someone who "promotes wool and wears wool often."
As I heard this statement, for some reason it captured my imagination. Perhaps it is because we've been hearing the letter to the Ephesians in worship over the last weeks in which we are encouraged to put on the clothes of Christ that this statement stayed with me all day. What might be said about me? What do I promote? What do I 'wear' often? How about you? What 'fashion statement' do we make with our daily lives?
Wouldn't it be wonderful if someone might use the description: 'promotes kindness and wears peace often' or 'promotes justice and wears compassion often' or even 'promotes joy and wears happiness often.'? I'd be pleased to have someone, anyone, describe me in these ways, wouldn't you?
So today as you put on your clothes, I invite you to think about what you are promoting, what it is you want to be seen in every day. Whatever it is, wear it boldly and with confidence. Who knows, you might even be given a blue ribbon for the way you walk in the world! And who wouldn't want that?
"As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the good news of peace." Ephesians 6:15