“Matchey-matchey” is a term I made up to describe how I like things to co-ordinate or “match”. I call myself a “matchey-matchey” gal because I like to wear earings and necklaces that match. I like my shoes to match my outfits (gentlemen pay attention – brown shoes do not go with black pants! lol) And even though nobody but my hubby will ever see them (always hoping that I will never need an ambulance), I like my underclothes to match my “outer” clothes. (TMI ??)
When I worked at a certain women’s clothing store, one of the company’s “buy” line policies was that staff were to present themselves “styled and dialed”, in company clothing and accessories. By our example, we would then inspire customers to be “styled and dialed” by purchasing that particular clothing line. Well, “styled and dialed” is my middle name! Need I mention that I was voted Miss (ok – Mrs.) ” Most Styled and Dialed” saleswoman in our store?! To heck with Oscar and Emmy Awards! Take that “red carpet fashions”! Now one of my hubby’s nicknames for me is “Styled’N’Dialed”. (Hey – that would make a great licence plate!)
My “matchey-matchey” philosophy also carries over into home decor, home organization, cooking, photography, art, and even my aquarium!
Although “matching” is very important to me in my visual, physical world, it is also very important to me in my spiritual life and in the way I conduct myself on a day to day basis. Most important to me is that my knowledge and understanding of God, and how I live out that knowledge and understanding, matches up with what God’s Word says.
For many years, I was misled by denominational doctrines that were not based on the correct interpretation and understanding of Scripture. Since that time, I have learned to follow the example of the believers in Thessalonica:
Act 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
We have also been instructed and encouraged to compare “spiritual with spiritual” (and I interpret that has including “scripture with scripture)).
1Co 2:13 Which things we also speak, not in words taught in human wisdom, but in Words taught of the Holy Spirit, comparing spiritual things with spiritual things.
I actively search the Word of God to see if the things that I am being taught accurately “match” what God has said in His Word. But I don’t do this by just checking out what only one or two verses of scripture say. So many church doctrines have been formed in error by the church “organization” “picking and choosing” which scriptures they will follow and which ones they will discount. Instead, I do my best to seek out ALL the scriptures that deal with a particular faith issue, and I look for the common thread of context and meaning. If there are one or two scriptures that seem to be in opposition to the bulk of what the other scriptures are saying, then I go with the “weight of evidence” with which the majority of the scriptures seems to support. And of course as I am seeking and searching for knowledge and understanding, I always ask God to grant me His Wisdom and His Knowledge and His Understanding so that I am not basing my understanding upon my own interpretation.
2Pe 1:20 Being conscious in the first place that no man by himself may give a special sense to the words of the prophets. (BBE)
My interpretation and understanding of scripture must “match” all of the things that God has said about HImself and His Ways.
And as I previously stated, I believe that my faith understanding must be lived out accordingly in my life. I can not be a Christian simply because I call myself one. I am truly a Christian if I am a follower of Jesus Christ, which means that the way that I live out my life must “match” the way that Jesus lived out his. And I am not talking about the way that I dress or the food that I eat. I am talking about the way that I live out the life of love that has been placed inside me through Christ’s death and resurrection. Flowery words of Christian love are not enough – my deeds must “match” my words. People need to see that the way I live my life “matches” the Christian words that I speak.
There is an older Gospel song entitled, “They will know we are Christians by Our Love”. I hang that title as a banner in the front of my brain. I need to remind myself that when people look at my actions or hear my words, I want them to see the Love of Christ.
1Co 13:1 If I make use of the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am like sounding brass, or a loud-tongued bell.
1Co 13:2 And if I have a prophet’s power, and have knowledge of all secret things; and if I have all faith, by which mountains may be moved from their place, but have not love, I am nothing.
1Co 13:3 And if I give all my goods to the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it is of no profit to me.
1Co 13:4 Love is never tired of waiting; love is kind; love has no envy; love has no high opinion of itself, love has no pride;
1Co 13:5 Love’s ways are ever fair, it takes no thought for itself; it is not quickly made angry, it takes no account of evil;
1Co 13:6 It takes no pleasure in wrongdoing, but has joy in what is true;
1Co 13:7 Love has the power of undergoing all things, having faith in all things, hoping all things.
I am far from perfect and I often get caught up in the way that the world says and does things, so like David, I pray the following:
Psa 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Jehovah, my Rock and my Redeemer.
I pray that you too will also desire to become “matchey-matchey” in your faith walk.
( and remember – no brown shoes with black pants! lol)
Blessings
heartshabitation 