Steve And His Underwear

My friend Steve showed up at church Sunday and said he was in such a rush that he had to glance down to make sure his underwear wasn’t on the outside of his pants. Thankfully, that was not the case and we could continue our conversation without the awkward embarrassment only a grown man with underwear over jeans can bring. My kids used to wear their underwear over their sweats, but they also had a towel pinned around their neck and made superhero noises. I checked Steve’s neck, no towel, so he wasn’t channeling his inner Superman.

And why does Superman wear his undies outside of his tights? Maybe that was the style on Krypton. Somebody needed to clue him in that we don’t do things like that here.

While considering his potential underwear crisis, Steve had an epiphany. He said that you could have everything together but in the wrong place. And he was right. Underwear under your clothes; good. Underwear outside your clothes; bad. Unless you are Madonna or Britney Spears, but that’s an entirely different issue.

I started thinking about how many people do the right thing on the outside, but are wrong on the inside. For example: they go to church, but it is merely to make an appearance. They believe they should, so they do, but they don’t apply themselves to get anything out of it. Some go to church to have their spiritual needs met, but one of the ways you meet your spiritual needs is by ministering to others. In this case, it is better to give AND receive. You have to admit, God has a great economy!

I see marriages that are hanging on by a thread. The people are still together, but they aren’t experiencing a fulfilled marriage; they just live in the same house. Some consider divorce as the solution. That is underwear on the outside. Here’s what I know; God hates divorce. “I hate the violent dismembering of the ‘one flesh’ of marriage.” (Malachi 2:16 The Message) But I also know that God wants me to be happy and fulfilled in my life. So if that is the case, then God must be able to make me happy in my marriage. Makes sense to me. And I know it works, because it happened for Lanette and I.

So what about you? What parts of your life are in the wrong order, or out of place? We make New Year’s Resolutions every year. Some people diet, or quit smoking, or any number of other things they want to accomplish. How about letting God put your spiritual life together? Make that your number one priority, and you just might be surprised to find your underwear actually fits better on the inside!

Checking my outfit… Jerry

Photo Credit: adoption.com