What if we wore an outfit covered with jewels that represented each of our friends, family, coworkers, neighbors and acquaintances — and each jewel reflected how precious and valuable those people are to us?
What if instead of wearing a garment to display this, we honor each other with compliments, acts of kindness, being there for each other in times of sadness and of joy?
Every day, every decision is something we each wear like a garment — not just about reputation or pride — but a living testimony of how precious life truly is.
What will today’s garment look like for us, my friends?
Will it be clean and shining bright with our love for others?
Hidden away by missed opportunities?
Or even gotten filthy with thoughts, words and actions towards others that don’t appreciate their precious value?
Let’s choose love, my friends.
And wherever we haven’t, let’s clean up any mess we’ve made, and commit to reconcile.
Amen. Thank you Jesus!
——
Since God values us so highly, shouldn’t we value each other highly as well?
1 John 4:11 NLT
[11] Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other.
https://bible.com/bible/116/1jn.4.11.NLT
Malachi 3:16-17 NLT
[16] Then those who feared the Lord spoke with each other, and the Lord listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and always thought about the honor of his name. [17] “They will be my people,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “On the day when I act in judgment, they will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient child.
https://bible.com/bible/116/mal.3.16-17.NLT
Isaiah 43:4 NLT
[4] Others were given in exchange for you. I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you.
https://bible.com/bible/116/isa.43.4.NLT
Zechariah 9:16 NLT
[16] On that day the Lord their God will rescue his people, just as a shepherd rescues his sheep. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown.
https://bible.com/bible/116/zec.9.16.NLT
Proverbs 31:10 NLT
[10] Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies.
https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.31.10.NLT
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NLT
[19] Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, [20] for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
Harold J. Ballinger 