#FASHION/Food, Health and Nature

When choosing what to wear, it's important to think of the statement we are making by our choices. The value we place on our lives, our environment and resources should impact every decision.

We are at a time when deep convictions should guide our decisions, such as our faith and what God expects of us. Our desire should be to honour the Creator who created all living things, each with distinctive attributes.

Moreover, our choices affect our wellbeing as humans with intellectual ability, gifted with understanding minds to take care of the human race and creation.

There are religious people who are of the mind that godliness is about dressing shabbily or wearing the same kind of clothing every day, while another group embrace dressing that should be restricted to night life. However we choose to dress, we are all responsible for our choices in keeping with our means and integrity.

The two things Jesus stressed as causing worry in life, were food and clothing.

In Matthew 6:25-27, Jesus said we were not to worry about life, what to eat or wear.

#Look at the Birds, Matthew 6:25-27

If we were ever in doubt of God's ability to feed the world, we should look at the birds.

In two separate miracles, Jesus fed thousands of hungry people.

He fed 5000 in the stories recorded in Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:31-44, Luke 9:12-17, John 6:1-14. While 4000 were fed in Mark 8:1-9, and Matthew 15:32-39, the leftover was more than the supply.

The people with Jesus didn't ask to be fed, but out of love and compassion, knowing they were far from home and hungry, He provided.

In John 6:35, Jesus, by saying, "I am the Bread of Life," was showing that He was able to take care of both our physical as well as our spiritual needs, because He is our Kinsman Redeemer. [The story of Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi in the Old Testament, who were provided for by Boaz who later became Ruth's husband, Naomi's redeemer kinsman, point to Jesus our Provider.]

The Church is being prepared for the Day she will be presented as the Bride of Christ [Book of Revelation]. In the meantime, He takes care of our needs if we trust Him.

Also in the Book of Exodus, we were taken on a journey with the children of Israel that lasted 40 years, from Egypt to the Promised Land. Without opportunity to farm, cook, or markets to purchase goods, God provided their needs.

#Look at the lilies of the field, Matthew 6:28-34

The desire of every earthly father is to provide for his children. It breaks a father's heart when his hands are tied because of hardships, making it impossible to meet the needs of his children.

If our earthly fathers can feel the need to provide, imagine having a Father who does not just think of how to meet our needs, but has all resources and the power to make it happen. Having created us, created herbs and animals for food as recorded in Genesis 1.

To understand the heart of God, and how He cares about what we wear, Jesus said, "Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are."

Does Jesus say people are not to work? Of cause not!

Solomon was the wisest and richest man that ever lived, yet, Jesus said that God dresses the lilies better than the richest man. [Take time and get close, touch and feel the texture, smell the scented petals.]

If God could put so much into birds and flowers that are here today and tomorrow are gone. Don't you think He wants His children to dress well?

By saying not to worry about what we need, He is reminding us that trusting Him with our needs will keep our focus on Him, not on our needs which cause anxious thoughts, and fear that steal our peace and joy which destroy our health.

Never feel guilty of looking after yourself. Religion sometimes want to put people on a guilt trip, which leads to self-neglect and rejection. That does not mean undertaking unnecessary harmful procedures.

We need what is suitable, remembering our confidence is in God, an internal and spiritual expression of who we are, not just an outward expression.