Theme of the Day
It’s Homecoming time-of-year for many high schools in the area. Homecoming traditionally brings with it an overall theme for the week, or sometimes there are even different themes for each day of the week so that kids can creatively celebrate by changing their wardrobe. Pick-a-decade Day, Class Shirt Day, and Spirit Day are just a few fun examples.
These dress-up days are a great way to come together, be silly, and celebrate. (Isn’t it great when a teacher or school staff member goes “all in” on an 80’s outfit complete with big bangs?) Monday was Pajama Day this week. When I heard that everyone participates, I planned for what to wear. As everyone filed into school on Monday, it appeared as though we were heading to naptime. In fact, my comfy pants, comfy shirt, and comfy shoes were so comfy that I realized I was having a hard time fully waking up and feeling alert that day!
This pajama theme made me think. When I dress up for something, my thoughts and actions follow. I felt pretty chill and a bit groggy on that pajama day! Today is Spirit Day, so I will dress in blue and gold, and my thoughts will go toward cheering on my school. These daily themes made me think about living a theme every day of my life. If I dress up for something, then I will live it. Using that same logic, if I start a day with a theme in my mind, will I believe in it and act upon it?
Jesus gave his apostles a theme to live by in the reading from Wednesday’s Gospel (Luke 9:1-6). Gathering the 12 apostles, Jesus “gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God.” Jesus didn’t send them off without first giving a pep talk though. (What a great coach!) Jesus said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic.”
That doesn’t sound super motivating. What is Jesus saying here? Is it that the apostles were supposed to live a simple life and proclaim the Good News? Yes, but there’s more. The apostles were called to be radically dependent on Jesus and their trust in him. All that the apostles needed was their trust in Jesus and what he taught them. No walking stick. No second tunic. Just trust in Jesus.
That is the theme I need to believe in and live every day. It’s a simple theme, but a big one to live every moment of every day. Homecoming got me thinking about themes. If I “dress” for a particular theme each day, or prepare my mind and heart for a theme like trusting in Jesus, then I just might begin to live it a little more each day.
What is your theme? What are you living by today? Be joyful to others? Be kind? Make someone laugh? Trust more in Jesus’ plan?
If you dress for a theme, you will begin to live by a theme. Choose your “dress.” Choose your theme. Prepare for that theme and try to live it each day.
I'm cheering for you!
