"Old Shirt"

There’s a faded denim, pearl-snap shirt,

That I often wear,

Now frayed at the collar,

On the sleeve a little tear.

But it is still my favorite,

I bought it long ago,

And it’s not about the fashion,

But the memories it holds.

I wore it to the rodeo,

That time in old Cheyenne,

When I traveled to the Daddy,

With my brother and our friend.

And we sang songs at the Friendly,

And I won’t forget that time,

On our last night in Wyoming,

A memory so fine.

And now old Mark is dead and gone,

He left us just this year,

And so this old-school cowboy shirt,

Well, I’m glad that it’s still here.

Long days spent chasin’ cattle,

Early saddled until late,

And hopin’ for enough light,

To find the pasture gate.

Buttoned at the collar,

Like the old men I once knew,

Who drank coffee and told stories,

‘Bout the cattle that they grew.

I wore it when I met her,

When she came into my life,

And God brought me to Texas,

With my beautiful, new wife.

I’m sure it’s not the pearl snaps,

That made her fall for me,

No, that’s the Good Lord’s doin’,

But leastways she could see,

That this old shirt is like a mirror,

That reflects just who I am,

Might be frayed and older,

When needed, I still can.

And thank God He does not discard,

Just ‘cause the fashion’s new,

Or colors bright and fabric tight,

Is what they sell to you.

But this old, faded denim,

With all its history,

Is something I will still put on,

It really does suit me.

And with it I’ll wear something,

That the Bible says I should,

To wear my true identity,

Because Christ said He would,

Live His life right through me,

And use both old and new,

To always do His bidding,

His Spirit makes it true.

“Put on your new nature, created to be like God- truly righteous and holy…” (Ephesians 4:24, NLT)

Paul speaks of an intentional choice that every Christian should make, every day. And that is the decision to put off our old, sinful nature and put on our new nature. The old “you” was rooted in self-centeredness. The new “you” is Christ-centered. This choice is about dying to self and living full out for Jesus Christ, and relying on the Holy Spirit to live the life of Christ through you. When we do, we are wearing our true, spiritual identity. Who we used to be may be real enough, but that’s not the real you. Our true identity is the one we receive from Jesus, and that’s what we’re called to wear everyday.

Lord, help us put off the old self and put on our true identity everyday, in Jesus’ name.

Personal photo of my brother, Linwood McClain, at the SLE Rodeo in Montgomery, AL.