It was a big deal for my children to get ready for church each Sunday. My boys didn’t always wear ties, but they did when they wore their suits for special occasions.
But they had their ‘best clothes’ for church, nice clothes for school and play clothes, which meant they could get them dirty by climbing a tree (which meant a tear every now and again), or a hole in the knee of a pair of pants, that’d I’d often patch.
The girls also had their ‘extra nice’ dresses, and others they wore to school, and the play clothes they usually only wore at home!
What struck me as I thought about this and the accompanying caption to the picture was how we treat ‘the temple of God’ in today’s world. The very idea of taking pride in our appearance and remembering to be respectful of where we are, and the event we are attending, seems to be indeed, ‘nostalgic’.
When I consider that my body is the ‘temple of God’, is this correct thinking? Sometimes, a person truly can't afford a lot of options to wear. And if that is all a person has, then he should by all means attend a church service wearing what he has, because that is his best! And I’m certainly not saying pricey clothes--or even fancy clothes and adornments are necessary—or even recommended. It's not about impressing our peers.
What makes this even more interesting, in my perspective is knowing that not only is my body the ‘temple of God’, it’s knowing that the Holy Spirit lives within me—- God lives there since I accepted Him as Savior! Am I treating Him with respect? Am I being my best when I don’t dress my best—- at least when I’m in a sanctuary to worship Him?
The Holy Spirit moved in to guide us when we were lost and in a dark place, to help us worship and live godly lives. He's the giver of special gifts and more. Shouldn’t we give Him our best, whether it’s how we live, how we eat (this can be tough too— given our culture of fast, processed and unhealthy foods)— how we talk, and yes, even how we dress! Doesn’t this show the world that we care about the ‘temple’ of the Lord we are given….and expected to take care of?
Many will say if we 'dress up' for church, those who have less won’t attend. That is a valid point. There are those in our world who really do not have ‘church clothes.’ And wearing ‘nice clothes’ certainly isn’t required. But even those with less can look nice in their less than pricy clothes. We’re a society of much; often too much.
Does God care what we wear to church? Probably not; certainly not when we are giving him the best we have--and our heart is in the right place. But I’m of the opinion that He does care when ‘we aren’t the least bit inclined to be our ‘best’ for him.
God expected the ‘best’ when sacrifices were given. Is it too much to ask us to be our best in worship to Him? Being the best we can be, would be considered ‘reasonable service.’ We are presenting ourselves to the Lord.
I can’t help but think of attending a wedding, going to a grand concert, showing up in court for some reason or other important event and not wearing my best.
In those venues, it’s about making sure our attire suits the event…. Is our place of worship so different? We are the ‘church’ and aren’t we saying something about ourselves when we choose to not care how we are ‘dressing for God’? Are we giving Him our best, or is it even less than what we’d give a judge in a courtroom or other place where respect is required?
‘Dressing up’ may not be a requirement to come to church…. but I wonder…. Do we really want to ‘dress down’ for the Lord? Is it really about a ‘come as you are attitude’ ---or do we really just not care anymore?
Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/NostalgiaFilesNet
Additional note: I rarely post a controversial subject. This one may qualify. I do not oppose differing views. What I must insist upon, however, is that all comments are kind and respectful—without any ‘attacks’ on me or anyone else! And, that you share your thoughts and views without any ugliness.
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