The faint spirit is weak, broken, lifeless, heavy. It is inert, not wanting to go anywhere, disinterested in getting out into the world. It draws the blinds and finds no reason to get up. But a mantle is a garment you put on to go out into the world to do something or to see someone. It readies you for participation in the world and in life. It opens the windows with anticipation and expectation.
Which one are you? Are you excited about today or bored? Putting on a garment of praise is a deliberate choice. And so is taking it off. There’s a parable about a lost son who took of his mantle and decided to leave his father to live his own life. But overtime his spirit grew heavy.
The prodigal son was seeking to return himself to the father, but the father knew only he could return his lost son to a new life. If you’re looking for a way back home, too, there’s a Father waiting to exchange his robe for your rags.
5 minute sermon clip: