I love clothes, shoes, hats, jewelry, yep! all the self-decorations. Growing up, my mother was always sewing clothes for me. I never saw someone wearing the same dress, shirt, pants, etc. in the halls at school or at formal dances as I was wearing. The sewing patterns were based on the latest fashions out of New York. I didn't fully appreciate it at the time because it was a part of everyday life; I was a first-to-wear or a groundbreaker in fashion in the small southern town in which I grew up. My mother was all about finding the perfect accessory to match her latest creation. She enjoyed the "matching" to make the outfit complete as much as I did. We spent many happy hours together shopping together for shoes or accessories to complement what she had lovingly sewn. Even though my shopping is online now; I still shop with the desire to be unique and wearing the latest fashion.
Our wonderful God provides us with a closet full of free, unique, never wear out, and perfect fitting clothes! He is the perfect seamstress! His provision in clothing which are our gifts, talents and The Armor of God, is everything we need to look good. Matthew 6:25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear." This applies to your spiritual closet as well. He knows what looks good on us, doesn't make us look bulky, and shows off our best attribute-Him. When we want someone else's giftings and talents because we like the attention or success they are getting; we are telling God we aren't happy with His provision in our closet. We want to go shopping for what WE think will make us look better than what He has given us. We want what is in their closet. We are jealous. We want OUR will to be done in heaven as on earth. We can go as far as to try to copy someone's clothes or walk in their calling or gifts. The clothes will not fit, the calling will be uncomfortable, will not get comfortable and will not reap the full benefits that The Lord has in provision for us. We end up feeling and looking uncomfortable when trying to copy what someone else is wearing.
You are a masterpiece! Priceless! Don't lower your price by wanting to be a copy!
Saul is a perfect example of fashion advice gone wrong and our armor was made exclusively for one in Samuel 17:38-40 "39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them.
"I cannot go in these," he said to Saul, "because I am not used to them." So he took them off." David, a boy, did not feel the need or pressure to wear what worked for Saul. David was confident in The Lord's provision. He knew he had what every believer has access to in their closet- faith and God's strength. 40 "Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd's bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine."
Saul's armor would have hung on David, making him look smaller, demeaning him, and even less of a threat than the size of the boy compared to the giant. The armor would have been heavy causing him to be clumsy. The helmet would have covered his eyes so that he couldn't see. The sword would have been too long, the point sticking in the ground at every step. David would have been easy prey for the Philistine.
It may have been Saul's intent for David to fail, even to be killed. We must be sure of our gifts and talents by having a relationship with The Lord. Saul was not the man for the battle. This doesn't mean Saul wasn't good enough, there is not a measure of good enough in God's Kingdom. It means that God was using David to set up his future. It was on David's timeline, not Saul's.
I believe because Saul's wardrobe could not help David and Saul wasn't able to have a part or get attention in the victory; the act started the jealousy that later would drive Saul's desire, and into madness, to kill David. Since we tend to be self-centered; Saul's focus was probably more on David's victory making him look like a coward than on the removal of the threat to their lives.
I'm comfortable wearing bright colored clothes. Fuchsia pink is my favorite. This wasn't established in my childhood from the clothes my mother made. I believe bright colors making me happy is an addition The Lord provided in my pattern. I've heard the bright colors are the colors of heaven. Whatever the reason; I want to add happiness and comfort to my day wherever I can.
Just like wearing bright clothes; prophesying comes as natural to me as breathing. I'm enjoying life to its fullest when I'm prophesying. It didn't happen overnight. I had to become comfortable and gain confidence wearing the clothes or mantle of the prophetic. When I reached into my spiritual closet; I didn't have any other choice besides the prophetic mantle. I looked at the mantle's others were wearing. I thought someone else's style (mantle) looked more appealing. I learned the reason certain clothes look good on someone is because they have been through the process of becoming comfortable in who they are in The Lord. I've grown in my trust of the Lord and confidence in myself to wear the prophetic mantle. Confidence reflects trust.
Recently, when I reached into my spiritual closet, a teaching mantle came out on the hanger. Teaching requires being in front of people. Ugh. I refused to call myself a teacher. The Lord stopped me in my thoughts one day and said, "Enough! You are a teacher." He began opening doors to teaching. He started the process of helping me to be comfortable wearing the teaching mantle. Out of His goodness, He allows us to grow into the fit of our mantles. I'm becoming comfortable in front of people and confident in speaking. He's preparing me for my future in Him (His will) when the teaching opportunities are plentiful. We are a pattern within The pattern.
As widows and singles, it is so important that we trust The Lord and ourselves. Our uniqueness and value were there before we were married. Our value is us. We are standalone valuable. I didn't come to that conclusion by myself. While off from work during recovery from a health issue; I stumbled over Anna's Gate on the internet. I decided to go to the next Tuesday meeting. CarolMarie showed me who I am in the Lord as a single woman - powerful in The Kingdom of God. The Lord fiercely protects the widow. What a blessing! I couldn't get enough of this new revelation!
We are cut from a pattern of His creation. The Lord lovingly and carefully sewed you together from a unique pattern that He only used once - you. A key to being happy is accepting and loving ourselves, whether single or married, the way He made us.
We want to honor your uniqueness at our 10th Annual Valentine Banquet on Saturday, February 15th. The event will include a red rose, escorted to your table, live music, a meal and entertainment. The banquet will be at Rothchilds, from 11am to 2pm. Please email your reservations to info@annasgate.org.
Lisa Antone
Anna's Gate Team