...he will restore us, that we may live in his presence (Hosea 6:2 NIV).

On days when I'm staying in the house, cleaning and watching my children, I love to lounge around in sweats.  If the day merits a trip to the store or the bank, I clean myself up a little better and turn in my sweatpants for a pair of jeans.  Of course there's a section of my closet reserved for church clothes; and finally, a very small section is saved for the one or two outfits I own that might be appropriate attire for a wedding or other special occasion. 

I always want to dress appropriately for the occasion.  There's nothing worse than thinking an event is casual and showing up in jeans, only to realize selecting from the "church clothes section" of my closet would've been more appropriate. 

There is one occasion for which I cannot, on my own, completely prepare myself appropriately.  So often we believe that if we live "perfect" (or close to it) lives, we are suited for meeting our Maker in heaven.  But in truth, our righteousness, or our assurance of eternity in heaven, is only ours through Christ and his death and resurrection.  Let's not forget to put on our cloak of thankfulness and praise him for his gift which allows us to enter his presence and bask in his glory.

--Emily A. Vermilya

...in him we...become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21).

(This devotional was originally published in "Light from the Word," Winter 2002.  Reprinted with permission from Wesleyan Publishing House.)

© 2003 Kingdom Building Ministries.