The other morning Shea was very set on wearing a certain new shirt to church, which was fine. She put the shirt on, looked in the mirror and was good with what she saw. As we were getting jackets on to leave for church, she put on her usual hoodie and we left. After we arrived at church, I asked her to take off her hoodie and she said, “Nope, I want to keep it on.” Then what was the point of wearing the prized shirt underneath if you were never intending to take off the outer layer – I thought to myself. No sooner had I thought that a girl walked in wearing the exact same hoodie. Thought Shea might now take off her hoodie to show her shirt underneath so to not be looking exactly like someone else in the outer layers. Nope, still wanted the hoodie, only now she was crossing her arms to cover up the writing on the hoodie so maybe people would not be able to tell it was identical to someone else’s clothing.
How often do we do this? We have our inner layer we are eager to show others – maybe a talent or trade, a skill or hobby and then we cover it up with a layer of everyday and ordinary? Afraid of showing our inner self because of what others might think or say. I am not sure if Shea was afraid others would not like her shirt or if she just felt more comfortable and secure in the hoodie she has worn day in and day out for the past few weeks. She would rather be identical to another than risk showing the uniqueness the shirt underneath entailed.
God has blessed each of us with a talent or a calling, let’s take off our ordinary outer layers and let our shirts be shown. Keeping it to ourselves, buried under layers isn’t doing anyone any good. Let our callings be heard or read or seen, whatever your calling is. Don’t be afraid of what others might think, God gave you the talent so display it proudly, not boastfully but graciously, pointing all credit back to the Giver.
Are you ready to take off your hoodie?
