In February, the southern part of our great country experienced enough ice and snow that those of us in the south wondered if we were still in the south. We woke up to ice and snow and it stayed for a whole week—that is not normal for us! There were plenty of jokes and memes going around about the snow apocalypse, but it was a very serious issue for many and our prayers continue to be with those affected.

One day I bundled up and headed out the door. I was shocked to feel warm though the temperature was 17 degrees. My secret weapon—ski clothes. Since we love to go skiing one time a year, I had ski clothes that never see the light of day unless we’re headed to Colorado, tucked away in my closet. But, when Louisiana feels like a mountain in Colorado, the ski clothes came out. 

Ski clothes are designed for the purpose of keeping one warm and they actually did their job. Hummm…let’s think about it. So, the proper clothing for an activity actually helps you during that activity. Ski clothes would be silly in a tennis match or waterskiing, but are perfect in cold weather. Likewise, I’ve seen people on the mountain in bikinis, but it’s pretty crazy and a bikini is not designed for comfortable ski wear. A photo op, maybe, but not to keep you warm while skiing. Proper clothing for the activity isn’t crazy. It makes sense. Right? 

Wondering what to wear when fighting the evil one. Scripture tells us to clothe ourselves with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom. 13:14) I love that word picture. Being clothed with the Lord’s presence means you’re wearing Jesus’ protection as you face every daily struggle. But, notice the word “clothe” or, put on, as some versions say, is an action word. We have an action to do. We have to participate for it to work. If I left me ski clothes hanging by the back door, but never put them on, they would not help me face the cold weather that is before me. The scriptures tell us “to clothe” ourselves which means we have to reach out and put on those traits of Jesus that we need to fight the enemy daily. What are those traits? Well, who do we know Jesus to be? Kind. Compassionate. Loyal. Honest. Caring. Longsuffering. Loving. Hope-filled. Grace-filled. Sometimes, I think we walk out the door and leave Jesus’s protection on the rack. We literally forget that the traits of Jesus are the traits that will lead us through our day more capable of handling the challenges, the adversity, the highs and the lows. 

So, hopefully, you can leave your ski coat at home this week, but never leave without putting on the presence of the Lord.