Dressing for the Occasion

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Lately, the more I look around at parents of young children, the more disappointed I am. Too many mothers, even Christian mothers, have been swayed by the world’s fashion standards. It is heartbreaking to look at innocent children being trained to believe that dressing immodestly is acceptable in the eyes of our Lord. Have we forgotten that we are to be separate from the world? Do we not realize that we will not only answer for the way we conduct and dress ourselves, but also for what we are teaching those precious minds the Lord has blessed us with?

Equally disappointing to me is the amount of sloppiness in our presentation that is being presented to our children as acceptable. Why is it that we can “dress up” for weddings, and even funerals, but when it comes to the worship service of our Lord, who gave HIS LIFE for us, we feel the need to wear what is most convenient and comfortable? How can we expect them to have reverence for the Lord when by our actions, we tell them that we clearly do not? Do we realize what message we are sending our children?

            I have heard the following argument countless times: “What difference does it make what I wear? I can worship God in any outfit and I don’t think it really matters to him what clothes I have on any way.” We are bought with a price. We belong to God and are to glorify him with our bodies and spirit, according to 1 Corinthians 6:19. The manner in which we present ourselves is a reflection on the state of our heart. We all have pajamas or comfortable clothes that we may wear around our home but we would not wear this outfit to a funeral or wedding because it would be disrespectful to those we are seeing. Most jobs come with dress codes, whether it is a waitressing position at Ruby Tuesday or an ESPN football commentator. It amazes me that many in the world understand the importance of looking your best yet the children of God seem to struggle with the concept.

Actions speak louder than words, ladies and what you allow you child to wear speaks volumes of where your heart and priorities are.

“How things look on the outside of us depends on how things are on the inside of us.”

Henry Ward Beecher

Move Forward.

Perseverance and spirit have done wonders in all ages.

–George Washington

            There is no doubt that Tuesday night’s election results were disappointing and depressing for those of us concerned about the morality and values of our beloved country. After a long night of worry, anger, fear, and dread, Wednesday morning left us heartsick, almost as if we’d felt the loss of a dear friend. There is no doubt that losses are one of the more difficult parts of life. I remember watching my little brother lose baseball games. I hated that feeling. I have watched a friend pass on, far too early, leaving a wife and children to struggle with the question of “Why?” I’ve seen a family anticipate the arrival of a new addition, only to be heartbroken by the child’s premature passing. Tears were brought to my eyes while standing in line to comfort a grieving widow, who had been joined in marriage to her soul mate for over half a century. We know the loss of watching the pain of others. We know loss ourselves. No loss is easy, be it the loss of a parent, friend, pet or even job and health.

            Yet, with all the defeat felt yesterday, I was encouraged. Why? How? You may ask. I was encouraged because my brothers and sisters in Christ did exactly what they do in other times of loss. We grieved together, and then we looked to God and His word for comfort and began reminding one another that He is still in control. We reminded one another why we are here: to teach (Matt. 28:19). We reminded one another, that we must cover our elected leaders in prayer (1 Tim. 2:1-2). We reminded one another that this world is not our home (John 14:2-3). We reminded each other that nations fade, but our Savior always remains the same (Heb. 13:8).

            This election may be over, but we do not get to relax. We don’t get to wail and wring our hands. We don’t get to run away. We keep standing for what we believe in. We work twice as hard teaching the gospel. We go back to days of family Bible study. We invite our friends, coworkers, neighbors, and even the stranger in the grocery store to Sunday morning worship service. WE TEACH. Prayer is powerful but prayer alone will not help. Jesus did not tell us to go into the world and pray.

            Get excited and fired up. Something must change in our country. Our government will not change it. Our president will not change it. Only you and I can change it, with God on our side (Phipp. 4:13; Rom. 8:31). It will not be easy. It will take effort and energy. It will take courage and conviction, but the first century Christians did it and we can too. The president isn’t changing, my friends, neither is our commission to spread the gospel. Let’s get to work. Clearly we have a lot of people to reach.

“And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.”

Acts 5:42