Comparatively Off

I glance down at my matching clothing, my belt, my boots. Well, maybe it doesn’t match exactly, but it is clean-ish, mostly. But I still feel over-dressed. All around me in town there were hardworking people who got dressed in the dark, I think. Or maybe they’re in the dark about getting dressed. And I thought I was just using good hygiene or something like that. Either way, I feel dressed-up, the edge of my fall dress catching on the breeze like all soft burgundy floral prints will do.

Then I catch a flight to the other side of the country or just a ferry across the water, and my boots and belt look like I got dressed in a cave with soot from my torch crumbling into my hair. "Yup, folks, cave woman, right here." my outfit screams when compared to the slick new look. But, that is just how it works. Wherever we are, if we only look around us to judge our appearance we will feel “off,” almost perpetually. That is, if you're being your true self and comparing, both at once.

There is a standard higher and different than the people around you. Aren’t you glad? We don’t have to rely on others to judge what we were, and especially who we are. I won’t link you through to a list of fashion rules, but I will link you to a list that doesn’t rely on anyone but the Ultimate Authority on being you. How do we measure up today, right now, right here? I wince, but I need the standard. What would anyone do without one?

Romans 12

1 ¶  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

3  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

4  For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

5  So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

6  Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

7  Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

8  Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

9  Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

10  Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

11  Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

12  Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

13  Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

14  Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

15  Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

16  Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

17  Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

18  If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

19  Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

20  Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

21  Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.