Lighten the load...

Today was an incredible day with temperatures flirting the sixty degree mark for the first time in four and a half months! One walk through campus bore testament to the weather.

Bare legs.

T-shirts.

Shorts.

Flip flops.

Students, faculty and staff alike shed jackets, boots and sweaters.

The burden of winter was lifted and the entire campus felt free. Alive. Rejoicing in the gift of new life.

All it took was a change of clothing, or rather a shedding of clothes to feel a new freedom.

A change in wardrobe starts with opening up the closet of our lives.

Colossians 3 (here from the Message):

"You’re done with that old life. It’s like a filthy set of ill-fitting clothes you’ve stripped off and put in the fire. Now you’re dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete...From now on everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ.

So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it."

Not sure how to change clothes?

Acts 2:38-39

Peter said, “Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is targeted to you and your children, but also to all who are far away—whomever, in fact, our Master God invites.”

I'm celebrating and changing my wardrobe. How about you?