As I walked through the store one day, I noticed a sweater hanging on a rack. An Ivory colored background with adorable, colorful miniature sweaters all over it. I fell in love with this lovely garment. I convinced myself I needed it. So, I paid the high price to obtain it. I smiled and beamed as I took my prize home with me. Little did I realize how I would learn a lesson from a sweater.
The Lesson from a Sweater
The weather remained warmer than usual, so I carefully hung the garment in the closet. I waited and watched for the right time to wear a sweater. Winter soon turned to spring, and before long, the hotness of summer returned with a blast of heat. The shirt hung, forgotten, in the back of the closet.
Years later, the elegant garment still hung in the back of the closet. Never worn, the shirt had never fulfilled its purpose in life. I bought it to wear and enjoy. Instead, it remained hidden from the world. If I had not made the purchase, maybe someone else would have bought it and enjoyed wearing it. But instead, it felt like a wasted purchase.
God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world.
1 Corinthians 7:23 (NLT)
My Purpose
Sometimes I wonder if Christ views us as the sweater in this story. He bought us by shedding His blood on the cross and dying for us. We belong to Christ, for Him to use in this world to further His kingdom. But how many of us just hang in the closet and never fulfill His purpose for our lives?
He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.
1Timothy 2:6 (NLT)
What purposes does God have for our lives? Christ calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves. Instead, we only love our friends and dislike those who are different. Jesus asks us to share the gospel with others. Instead, we convince ourselves that it is the preacher’s job, and we are not qualified. Therefore, we don’t spread the gospel. God commands us to provide for the poor and needy among us. Instead, we rationalize our own needs over those of the poor and downtrodden.
The Reward
Christ bought each of us for a price. We are the tools Christ will use to further His kingdom here on earth. He has a purpose for us in this world. Are you fulfilling that mission, or are you just hanging out in the closet? The sad part, God will find someone else to do the work if we don’t. Then we will miss out on the opportunity to hear Christ proclaim, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Feed and shepherd God’s flock–his church, purchased with his own blood
Acts 20:28b (NLT)
As the funny TV ads used to announce, “You had one job to do……..” Well, God did give us one job to do in life, and that job is for us to be the hands and feet of Christ to the world. Are we fulfilling the purpose which Christ redeemed us to do? It is not too late to start now. In short, the lesson from a sweater taught me about God’s purpose for my life.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, please help me to understand Your purpose for me life. Show me where to go and who to help in Your name. I am Yours and I want to honor You with my life. Thank You for redeeming me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Blessings,
Yvonne, Blogger, speaker, and author
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
100% of the proceeds from sales of my book, Turning Mountains Into Molehills, go to help the orphans at Orphan Relief Effort, Inc.
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I love how God gives us messages in things like sweaters. I pray we all pause and be alert for His messages.
Me too. Thanks Melissa and May the Lord bless you.
Thank you for this call to dfi the work he has for us. The Kingdom is here and not yet….
Thanks Candice. God bless.
What an image! A Christian who just hangs in the closet. The thought is sobering. I don’t want to hide in the back of the closet. “Lord, help me step out and do my part to further your gospel.” Thank you, Yvonne, for nudging us.
Thanks Stephen. I too want to be used by God. God bless.
These are our marching orders. Yet, we so easily forget that we’re not just supposed to hang around, all saved and sanctified, in the closet doing nothing. Love one another, as I have loved you, Jesus said. Love your neighbor as yourself, he said. Will we do this? Well said. Great illustration!
Thanks Melinda. I appreciate your thoughts. We must always be busy doing the work of our Father. Stay safe and God bless.
I love the idea that a sweater hangs in the closet. It refuses to come out and keep someone warm, help them look nice, send a message of love, provide a need. Thanks, Melinda.
Thanks Nancy
Convicting: “how many of us just hang in the closet and never fulfill His purpose for our lives?” I don’t want to just hang in the closet. I want to do His work every day!
Me too! Thanks Jessica. God bless
Yvonne, such a great analogy! That sweater sounds super cute. And you make quite the point. We don’t just accept salvation and then it stops. There’s a greater purpose in our lives as we “live out” the Christian life here on earth. We’ve indeed been bought with the blood of Jesus!
We do have a greater purpose and the world does all it can to distract us from it. Thanks Karen and God bless.
Yvonne, what a powerful message from a simple life story. But so very true. We were purchased at such a high price. May we love and live for Christ with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Thank you for this encouragement!
Thanks dear Melissa. May we be used by God to help those around us. God bless
I love this very convicting analogy! I have to admit that I know there’s more I can do for God than just hang in the closet being a silent Christian.
God has a purpose for each one of us. Seek Him and He will lead you on the path He has planned. Thanks Michelle and God bless.
Something so simple but so relevant, great analogy thank you!
Thanks Ava. God bless
I loved the prayer and the surrender to discern and do God’s will. We are saved, but saved for a purpose. To love and obey God and to engage in kingdom work that makes a positive difference and moves the kingdom forward.
Thanks Anne. You are so correct, we must keep the kingdom moving forward by fulfilling our purpose. God bless.
We were created for a purpose. Each and every one of us. What a shame if we never seek and find it. Glad you have found yours!!
Thanks Barb. Part of our purpose will always include spreading the Gospel far and wide. God bless.
What a powerful image to not get stuck in the back of the closet. This is also an important message about loving everyone, not just those like us. Beautiful reminder. 🙂
Thanks Shawn. It is so easy to get stuck. We must be on guard against it. God bless.
Amen and Hallelujah!!
Thanks and God bless