Vogue
Halleluiah! The long-awaited moment to crack open September Vogue has finally arrived! Year after year I start my vigil, waiting for the bulging edition of this magazine to appear on newsstands. There’s something about getting the bead on the Great Fall Fashion Blitz that never fails to inspire me, not that I'll be cruising high-end boutiques anytime soon!
After purchasing your hot-off-the-press copy, you transport the heavy tome home, waiting for a quiet, uninterrupted moment (with tea, of course), to enjoy the sensual feast. Smooth it open carefully, slowly savoring the explosion of gorgeous new woolens, fresh, innovative patterns and textures in lush color combinations. Lose yourself temporarily in the cutting-edge photography and stylistic brilliance of some of the industry’s top innovators. And then, wait for it, there’s the accessories. Yum, Yum, Yum. This indulgence re-energizes me without fail, and takes a little of the edge off the knowledge that summer has ended, and we are headed, inevitably, into the dark frigidity of Another Canadian Winter.
Vogue. Interestingly, this is a motion word, meaning ‘to row’ or ‘to go well’; a wave or course of success. As human beings, we require that carefully calibrated balance between consistency and advancement. We’re designed to "multiply and have dominion" (Genesis 1:28), so standing still is simply not an option. We crave enough factors we can control while at the same time engaging the wild, untameable cosmos. Straddling these two extremes, our constant challenge is to successfully ride that transformative razor-edge. It’s essential for us to be the high fashion in our own lives; changing, adapting, advancing and transforming.
The problem with growing older is that you lose the feeling of being in Vogue. Time passes with staggering speed and that Pharaoh-like invincibility so delicious in youth and ignorance soon gives way to the jading of experience. The days mercilessly erode desire, power, physical strength and dignity. Despite a younger generation continuously nipping at our heels and a myriad of other tyrannical factors, one should never lose the pivotal sense of being the primary protagonist in our own existence. In the movie, “Holiday”, Arthur Abbott, a veteran movie writer gives his young, troubled friend Iris the benefit of his age and experience.
Arthur: “Iris, in the movies we have leading ladies and we have the best friend. You, I can tell, are a leading lady, but for some reason, you're behaving like the best friend!
Iris: You're so right. You're supposed to be the leading lady of your own life…!
It’s so fatally easy to become a bit player in your own unfolding tale. There is an important aspect to egocentricity, and it's the ability to keep track of yourself within the parameter of your own life. We get lost in the needs of others, perilous situations, survival mentalities, and then wonder at our internal dissonance and dissatisfaction. We’ve slipped out of the spotlight of our own significance, and we resent it mightily.
The amazing thing about being a Christian is mastering the balance between idolatry and slavery. We are not to be our own gods…but we’re not to be the slaves of others, either. Within the unfolding drama of everyday being, the reins are ours to take and run with, and the Lord expects us to do this with bold elation. We are encouraged to develop and maximize the full range of our gifs and talents. Not only that, but the Lord partners with us, rolling out fresh kairos seasons like a lush red carpet at our feet. He releases prophetic mandates. He summons the favor of kings. He bestows pristine spiritual mantles of provision and potential upon us like spiritual Haute Couture. These Bespoke garments of such unique and exquisite distinction take the breath away; perfect coverings, supernaturally designed to give us the inside edge in this new stage of our lives and showcase the beauty of our God. And the accessories! Yum, yum, yum! You won’t believe the experts He scouts, the resources He commandeers and the angelic workers commanded to level the path ahead. Get in the flow of the anointing because you do not want to miss this! A moment to be seized is as unique as the snowflake, which evanesces just as mysteriously away.
Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. Exalt her, and she will promote you; She will bring you honor, when you embrace her. She will place on your head an ornament of grace; A crown of glory she will deliver to you.” Proverbs 4:7-9 NKJV
Sometimes, it's actually hard to believe the supremely beautiful things God has ordained for us as individuals. We hesitate to grasp the beautiful things He holds out, uncertain we have the right to boldly step in to them. Let me clarify. Yes, we do.
When I passed by you again and looked upon you, indeed your time was the time of love; so I spread My wing over you and covered your nakedness. Yes, I swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine,” says the Lord God.
Then I washed you in water; yes, I thoroughly washed off your blood, and I anointed you with oil. I clothed you in embroidered cloth and gave you sandals of leather; I clothed you with fine linen and covered you with silk. I adorned you with ornaments, put bracelets on your wrists, and a chain on your neck. And I put a jewel in your nose, earrings in your ears, and a beautiful crown on your head.
Thus you were adorned with gold and silver, and your clothing was of fine linen, silk, and embroidered cloth. You ate pastry of fine flour, honey, and oil. You were exceedingly beautiful, and succeeded to royalty. Your fame went out among the nations because of your beauty, for it was perfect through My splendor which I had bestowed on you,” says the Lord God. Ezekiel 16:8-14 NKJV
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