Dressing For The Occasion

For some people, the major question of the day is “What shall I wear?” Usually that person has lots of choices. What matches? What compliments? That one is too tight around the middle. I feel rather “burgandy” today…that’s the color, not the liquid. There is, traditionally, appropriate attire for funerals and weddings and going to church. Remember when people actually dressed up to go to church. Now the issue is not dressing up, it’s showing up. Anyway…

Here’s where I make a slightly tongue-in-cheek suggestion that the Bible could use an update in some of its wording. There are a number of reasons that I am not a member of the Literalist Society when it comes to reading the Good Book, and Ephesians 6 is a good illustration of my dilemma with Bible words: it tells me how to dress for the day. Body armor, a helmet, a shield, a sword. Wouldn’t it be better to say: if you want to put on Christ for the day, wear a ball cap for your head, a pull-over shirt, Nikes for your feet, shorts because the temperature is going to be about 105 degrees today. Maybe carry a walking stick for the trip from the air-conditioned house to the air-conditioned car to the air-conditioned Mall? When was the last time you saw someone walking down Oracle Road in full body armor?

But, we know that Ephesians 6 is not about clothes for comfort. What the writer is describing is a PF 200 for the soul. I dare not go outside for any extended length of time here in Arizona in June without sunscreen protection. The same principle applies to the soul. It’s tough out there. Dress appropriately. So, I hope you will take this into account as you dress each morning. To think about the well-being of the soul is a wise thing to do. Above all, put on Christ. Intentionally and consciously, wrap yourself in Christ each morning, then make choices about a pull-over or a button-up.

“How does this look, honey? Does this match? Okay, I’ll try another shirt. What’s wrong with my socks?” This getting dressed each morning is becoming quite a chore. “How about this one, sweetie?”

Dress for the occasion. Dress for life. Put on Christ.