What’s in the Closet - Martin Wiles

And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. Matthew 6:28-30 NLT

Small. Dark. No light. Uninviting. Only about half enough space for the clothes I owned. No shoe rack. Doorways shorter than I was. And I was supposed to be satisfied?

I’ve lived in a few older homes where the closets weren’t as large as I would have liked. According to the research I’ve done, people were once shorter, so that piece of knowledge explained the lower door frame.

But what about the size? The average person only owned a few pairs of work clothes, a couple of Sunday clothes, and a couple pairs of shoes. They didn’t need closets larger than the ones I’d inherited. 

Occasionally, I watch house-shopping shows on television and marvel at the reasons a couple turns a house down. One, in particular, is the closet. Most want a large walk-in closet. Some closets I’ve seen are half as large as my patio townhouse. Racks upon racks for shoes. Rod after rod for clothes. More cubbies for pocketbooks and other essentials. But a small closet? No sale. Let’s move on to the next house.

Jesus had something to say about our closets—though He didn’t use the word itself. Homes in His time may not have even had them. He said not to worry about my clothing—which in turn means I need to look at how important a closet is to me. That probably means if I have enough to fill a large walk-in closet and have some more stored in totes under the bed, in the attic, or in a storage shed that I have too many.

Maybe the size of a closet is important after all. Large closets may indicate my focus has shifted from what’s more significant to what’s least essential. Jesus promises to clothe me—but His outfits and the number of them might not match my choice—or the amount I’d select. What I see as a need doesn’t always match what He classifies as one. My job is to trust Him to supply my clothing while I busy myself advancing His kingdom—which I don’t need a lot of clothing to do.

Closets tell a story. Not so much about my taste in clothing, but about my focus and if it’s where it should be. God promises to supply your needs. Let Him turn your focus to His plans for you so the size of your closet won’t matter.

Tweetable: What does your closet say about you?

Prayer: Father, when our closets become too small to satisfy us, prompt us to check our priorities. 

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