SARITA AND SONIA are two uncommon women. While many of us are worried about being in style, about buying clothes that make us look good and feel good about ourselves, they set their sights on buying the type of clothing that the Lord recommends to us: white garments of purity, faith, obedience to God, and service to one’s neighbor.
These two preach in the bus and wherever they have the opportunity. On one occasion, they arrived at the house of Arcelia, a 40-year-old woman who had had a car accident, and as a result, was convalescing in bed. When she heard the religious songs of Sarita and Sonia, Arcelia smiled; she also appreciated the groceries they brought and especially the Word of God they shared with her through Bible studies. For Arcelia, they were the two most elegant women she had ever met. Those are the garments that are worthwhile: forgetting oneself and serving others as much as it is possible for us to do. When we are acting like this, God looks after covering our nakedness. Let us admit it: we are too concerned about the external, about being in style and having lovely clothes. However, for the Christian woman, the principle must be to dress «modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes» (1 Timothy 2:9, NIV). Why is that? Very simply, because our exterior is no more than a visible reflection of the reality of our inner spirituality. The clothing we wear must be planned in such a way that it gives witness of what is in our hearts.
«Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts» (Romans 13:14). That is the inspired advice for us today. Let us not waste our time, our money, and our energy in feeding the nature of vanity or selfishness. Let us always invest on putting on Christ, knowing that in that lies the true beauty and elegance of the Christian woman, because what counts is not temporal, but eternal. What is important is not calling attention to me, but to Christ. It is not about me; it is about the deep truths of the gospel.
«l counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed» (Revelation 3:18).