Suit Up!

Five airplanes and thirty hours later I made it home from my trip to Germany and Albania. Once again, my luggage did not. What is it about my bag of dirty clothes that is so impressive to the Europeans that they keep wanting to keep them for a few days? Perhaps there exists a European fashion designer who has the idea that I am a real Fashion Freddie (Or should I say Fashion Franco?). More likely they are trying to rid the world of the solid dark shirts worn by those of us who attempt to hide our expanding girth. Well, give up Europeans. There’s always a Walmart somewhere!

Let me stay on this wardrobe theme as I briefly reflect on this trip. After a few days of teaching in Germany, I am blessed with the memory of hundreds of German and Russian-speaking followers of Christ who made the decision to dress daily as Ambassadors of Purity in their homes, churches and communities. After three days of training over a hundred missionaries and speaking to a group of pastors in Albania, I am grateful that God has raised a small but mighty army in that region who are committed to dress daily in the armor of active-duty Soldiers of the Cross. Let these fashion-conscious Germans and Albanians be our example, as well.

I love the straight-forward words of the Apostle Paul. He was obviously quite passionate about the importance of dressing properly every day — especially as the days get darker and more dangerous.

“Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now  salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave  properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and  sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts (Romans 13:11-14).” 

Now that’s the kind of wardrobe that is worth wearing and never losing. Suit up, my fellow ambassadors and soldiers!

Thanks for praying for our brethren in Germany and Albania!