When I look at this dress, it’s composition stands out for me. Though the dress is mostly black and seemingly shapeless, the bottom has gorgeous cream layers. These layers elegantly flow as the wearer of the dress walks. In this the first blog post of the four-part Fashion x Devotional series, I invite you to look past the garment. Just like this dress, the uncultivated wilderness possesses captivating beauty. Keep reading to learn how I gained spiritual advice from my local forest and a Korean mermaid dress.

This mermaid style of dress is common in Korea. You can also find them in skirt form. They are flattering and pretty styles to wear in both winter and summer. While summer dresses and skirts are lined with light clothing materials, the winter ones are lined with warmer, heavier materials. Click here to view this style and others like it on Gmarket, Korean No.1 shopping site. International shipping is available.

The most captivating feature of the forest are the thick green mountains. They easily steal your attention with their enormous size, rich color and texture. It’s tempting to lose yourself in its chaotic beauty: wild flowers beside the stream and its bold colors of nature. But one should be alert for wild pigs. Most of the mountains in Korea are home to deers and mountain/wild pigs. Surprisingly enough, during the full-day photoshoot for this four-part series, I stepped into a really bushy area and something ran away so fast I didn’t have a chance to fully see it. But I could have thought I saw a long snout. It’s safe to say I learned my lesson that day.

Check out these blog post for more spectacular mountain views: Fashion Masks, Structures and Landscapes, EPIK Teachers Have Faced New Circumstances Since COVID-19

In Luke 4:1-14, after Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit, he fled to the wilderness where he was tempted by the devil for 40 days When they ended, he was hungry. The devil, seeing Jesus was weak, tempted him to one, turn stone to bread, two, to receive all his earthly power and worship him and three, throw himself off a high ledge. In a moment of weakness, or distraction, we may find certain things attractive. Though the things – bread, power – maybe attractive in its purest form, like Jesus, we should always remember to walk with the spirit of God.

The wilderness is the place where God wants to show us how to depend on him. We will encounter temptation there. Each temptation breaks down our layers. Instead of facing wild pigs, we’ll face the realities of our fears, insecurities, and weaknesses. Jesus was victorious because the word of God flowed from his heart.

I felt so free in this dress. Like I was walking on air. As the wind blew the cream layers of the mermaid dress against my legs, I told myself to “relax,” and not to think about the wild pig – which I still think about till this day haha – and enjoy the beautiful morning in the forest. So I did. Words are powerful. Jesus reminds us that the right words frees us.