Daily Devotional For March 9, 2025
But you have a few names in Sardis who have not defiled their garments, they will walk with me in white, because they are worthy. The one who overcomes will likewise be dressed in white garments, . . . Rev 3:4-5.
It is a humiliating thing to be underdressed in a large gathering. I remember one time being invited to address about 400 pastors and lay church leaders at a conference in Northern California. Don Schneider, who later became President of the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists, was President of the Northern California Conference at the time. Among those who know him best, there are plenty of stories about his practical jokes, from short sheets to the use of a starter’s pistol to shock people. But I didn’t know him well enough then.
I had prepared for this trip and was putting in a final couple of hours at the office when Schneider called my wife at home. He explained who he was and said, “I just wanted to let your husband know that the meetings will be held at our camp in Leoni Meadows. It is way up in the mountains, so he should plan to dress warm and casual.”
My wife decided to help me out by removing the suits from the garment bag and replacing them with lumber jackets and jeans. When I came home I was delighted at the news, since I have never been a big fan of uncomfortable ties! I gathered up the baggage and headed for the airport. Later that day I drove up to Leoni Meadows from the airport in Sacramento and got everything hung up. I put on a nice, red and black plaid flannel shirt and my best pair of jeans and headed downstairs for the first meeting. When I arrived at the meeting hall I discovered 400 people awaiting me in three-piece suits and elegant dresses. It was at that moment that it dawned on me that I had been tricked! I was about to be the tramp at the ball!
There was nothing else I could do, so I went straight to the microphone and said, “Most of you don’t know him well yet (Schneider had just arrived in the area two months before), but Don Schneider is widely known as a practical joker of menacing proportions.” I then explained what he had done to me and used the rest of the weekend to even the score!
It’s no fun to be badly dressed for an occasion. Neither is it fun to behave in a way that is out of touch with the surroundings. The garment language in this text is spiritual. Jesus is looking around Sardis to find candidates for heaven. No one will be out of place there. God’s judgment will not be based on outward appearance but will take into account the true character of each person as they respond to the saving sacrifice of Jesus. Those who follow Jesus now will not be out of place then!
Lord, cleanse my heart from all that spiritually stains. May the life of heaven be a reality in my life today.