Apparently that is a blog title. I saw it while checking out a blog roll at another site. But it reminded me of a conversation Joe and I had the other night. About church, about dressing up or not. You see, my husband and I grew up in a church where we would all dress up to go to church. We were showing respect to God by putting on our best clothes to go to church. Sounds good right? And there is still something to that. But for the last few years, we have been a part of a church with NO dress code. A few people throw on the tie but most people seem to be in clothes just right for a trip to Home Depot on the way home. Out of habit I still try to put on something nice, though very relieved that I have options.
But what about our opinion of ourself (and others) when dress is something that is important. Do we think our make-up (or not) makes us "holier" than someone else? Do our nice outfits focus our attention on the outside over the inside? Having experienced both styles I tend to think dress codes and emphasis contribute to the happy happy church face that probably does not reflect the realities of our life with its pain and sin.
(And another thing, when church had an emphasis on our dress, so goeth the conversations. "Oh Sally, cuuuute shirt...." "oh nice shoes, where did you get them?" Whereas these days, I see my friends and church, in a whole variety of outfits, and clothes are not really part of our conversations. Why? 'Cause they don't really matter!) I might even argue they keep us thinking God sees our nice outfits and is impressed, like He needs that from us.
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