Dressing Like the People He Loved

“I have become all things to all people, so that I might help to save some.” — from 1 Corinthians 9

When Hudson arrived in China, he wanted the people there to listen to his good news about Jesus. But there was a problem: he looked so different! In his English clothes, crowds would follow him, point, laugh, and even shout rude names. It was hard to be heard over all the mocking.

So Hudson did something bold. He decided to dress the way the Chinese people dressed, and he even had his hair shaved and styled like theirs. Now, when he walked through a town, people didn’t stare and jeer. They listened quietly, and even invited him into their homes.

Hudson had a friend, Mr. Burns, who still wore his English clothes. Mr. Burns noticed that Hudson got calm, friendly crowds, while he himself got followed by rude, mocking boys. After watching this for a few weeks, Mr. Burns put on Chinese clothes too!

Hudson didn’t change his clothes because he had to. He did it out of love — he was willing to give up his own comfort and pride so that people would listen and come to know Jesus.

Love does that. It thinks about others first. Is there a way you could give up something small — being right, being first, being comfortable — to help someone else feel welcome?

Dear God, make me willing to give up my own comfort out of love, so others can see your kindness in me. Amen.