August 22 An Obi of Love
August 22
An Obi of Love
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
—Colossians 3:12, 14
The Japanese character for love is pronounced “ai” and is pictured with the symbol for a belt found on a traditional Japanese gown known as a kimono. Called the “obi,” the wide silk belt wraps around the outside of the kimono to hold it together. The obi is both functional and beautiful. No kimono is worth stunned admiration without it.
I wouldn’t doubt that God, in His sovereignty, had the Japanese people reserve that character to symbolize something He would communicate to the Colossian church.
Just as a Japanese woman will put on many layers of clothing as a part of the kimono, Paul exhorts us to layer qualities of the Spirit. Each layer of a kimono has its purpose and adds to the overall effect of beauty. Such is to be our clothing of character—functional and beautiful.
Paul then exhorts us to bind the loose-fitting kimono with an "obi" called love. Our qualities of the Spirit need to be held together by the relationship of the Spirit. Without that bond, we would not reflect the unity Christ obtained for us.
Not only is the obi functional, it also allows the beauty of the kimono, and the woman, to be seen. The people of God who bind themselves in love are strikingly beautiful. And the world cannot help but be attracted to it.
Lay spiritual characteristics of clothing upon your life. And then wrap that “obi” of love tightly.
Lord, I desire simple beauty in my life. Work from the inside out. Make me humble and forgiving. And make me a binding spirit within Your Body.