There is a story in the bible about a young man named Joseph whose father gave him a special gift of a coat of many colours. In Joseph’s day, everyone had a coat, used to keep warm, carry belongings and even to serve as security for a loan. Most would have been very plain, and about knee length, and merely functional. In contrast, the coat that Joseph’s father gave him was colourful, ankle-length, and probably more in keeping with what royalty wore. Joseph’s coat of many colours became a sign of favouritism between this father and son, and it aggravated his other ten brothers no end, so much so that they wanted to destroy him because of their jealousy. (Genesis 37-50)
I believe that when we ask God to be part of our lives, He gifts and bestows within and upon us our own “coat of many colours.” It’s a coat of favour and recognition that we are special in His sight and have a position, purpose and esteem in His kingdom.
God created you to shine and to stand out from the crowd by exploring, discovering and embracing your unique calling and purpose in life. And sadly, that can sometimes make others feel jealous when we begin to shine and walk in His favour. But that doesn’t mean you should shrink back and not accept God’s hand and gift upon your life. It doesn’t mean you should seek instead to become one of the crowd and desire to fit in and look, talk, and walk around “dressed” in just a plain monotone “coat”.
God wants you to choose to make time for curiosity and wonder at the world. To take time to pray, to seek Him, to read that book, to take that class, to explore those things that resonate in your heart, and to live outside the box. He has made you with the ability to choose every single day to wear your “technicolour coat of many colours” and to find your true identity in Him and who He has created you to be.
Start wearing your own coat of many colours and:
Be willing to try some new things that interest you.
Be patient and allow God to piece-by-piece reveal the hidden plans and things He has placed in your hearts.
Don’t waste your time on things you know aren’t from God or pleasing to Him.
Don’t let people pressure you into things that sound like a good idea but are not necessarily who God has made you to be. Following His leading sometimes means saying no to friends, family and workmates, so that you can follow God’s promptings.
Keep walking – life is a journey in God of discovery and learning.
The bible says, “The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.” (Proverbs 20:5)
Today choose to put on your own “coat of many colours” and discover for yourself without fear, shame or embarrassment the multifaceted, talented, gifted individual you are.
“For you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light “. (1 Peter 2:9)
Prayer: Lord, please help me to realise that you have given me a “coat of many colours” because you see me as someone of importance and significance. Help me realise who I am in you and to begin to explore and examine what that might mean today. In Jesus Name Amen.
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