SPLENDID ATTIRE | KAIROS GLOBAL | NOVEMBER 2026

Author: Anil Israel

Audio

Intro: Anil Israel asks us to direct our attention to our inward selves and the beauty we can create therein.

A crow once wanted to be a dove, because it was fairer. When the dove said the parrot was better coloured, the crow sought to be a parrot. The parrot suggested the lovebird was more appealing, and so the crow desired to be a lovebird. The lovebird pointed out how attractive the peacock was, and so the crow wanted to be a peacock. The peacock said it was imprisoned in a zoo and would have loved to be as free as a crow. Finally, the crow realised that true beauty lies in self-acceptance.

Humans too get carried away with how they carry themselves. Many are unhappy with their height, weight, skin colour or hair. People are calorie-conscious and closely monitor their body mass index. They try to control their diet and focus on being ‘in shape’. Others try to indulge in artificial ways of enhancing their face value. 

We unwillingly append certain brands of outfits or footwear to our essentials list. Lured by the world, we pay too much attention to how we present ourselves externally. We tend to forget the age-old adage: You can’t judge a book by its cover. All that glitters is not gold. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).

What lies within us is what truly matters. When you squeeze an orange, you’ll always get orange juice. When someone squeezes you, what comes out is what’s on the inside. ‘It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters’ (Epictetus). 

Do I yield anger, hatred and bitterness? Then I need to work on the inside. I need to change my inner thoughts, responses and mindset. When Jesus was humiliated and mistreated, he did not retaliate or threaten his abusers but endured it silently and entrusted himself to God. If I want to see change inside me, I need to let God change me. Only the indwelling Holy Spirit can convict me of something wrong inside. Only this conviction, given by the higher power, can lead me to change my response. 

We can’t do it on our own. We need divine assistance. He is the operator; we are only the co-operator. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing (John 5:15). I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13). 

Adam and Eve could only cover themselves with fragile fig leaves (Genesis 3:7). But God clothed them with far superior garments of skin (Genesis 3:21). God’s ways are heavenly; ours are earthly. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:9). Truly, we need to humble ourselves, acknowledge our limitedness and submit to His sovereignty. For we are mere creatures and He is our creator. Truly, the Divine Maker knows what’s best for his masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10).

Instead of being distracted by externals, I need to divert my attention internally, to beautify my soul. The first step would perhaps be to respond to the eternal call to repentance – to be clothed in sackcloth (Revelation 11:3) or clothed in haircloth (1 Chronicles 21:16) and remind myself that I am mere dust and ashes (Job 42:6). I need to zero in on my pride, strip myself of my selfishness and put on the mantle of humility. Clothe yourselves with humility towards one another, because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:5).

Acknowledging that everything we have is a blessing bestowed on us, we can embrace an attitude of gratitude and adorn a garment of praise (Isaiah 61:3). We can give credit to the Divine provider for His self-emptying generosity and worship the Lord in holy attire (Psalms 96:9).

Aaron’s turban had a golden plate fastened which was engraved, Dedicated to the Lord (Exodus 39:30). We who are baptised have received the triple anointing of priest, prophet and king. We need to remind ourselves that, being a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation (1 Peter 2:9), we are called to live ‘set apart’ holy lives. 

None of us lives for ourselves alone (Romans 14:7). We belong to the Lord (Romans 14:8). We are ransomed with the precious blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:19). He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them (2 Corinthians 5:15). We need to consciously let our heartbeat echo: ‘Lord, You gave Your life for me. Help me to live for You’.

When we, created in the image of love, live to radiate His love and light, we truly live. ‘We cannot do great things, only small things with great love’ (Mother Teresa). Let us put on the cloak of charity by infusing all our actions with love.

May we shun a life of duplicity and embrace a life of integrity.  May we make the pursuit of personal holiness and the perfection of virtue the ardent craving of our heart. May we joyfully live, witnessing lives emanating the fragrance of Christ (2 Corinthians 2:15). May we be courageous enough to stand for the truth in the midst of moral decay. May we never discard the robe of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10), Lord for this we pray. May the spotless garment (Revelation 3:4) of good works be the splendid attire (Esther 5:1) our soul’s desire.

Anil Israel lives in Mannheim, Germany with his wife Sunitha and their 6 children.