Special Occasions
by Nancy Clyatt
Generations of parents have been given, by virtue of parenthood, the task of conveying societies social and religious principles. Part of that function is the teaching of etiquette and the formalities of social occasions. These include births, deaths, proms, weddings, church and an endless array of events.Dress codes for these occasions are enhanced by parent participation and modeling. Children watch as their caregivers present the socially accepted mode of dress and behavior. Parent’s expected compliance is crucial here or it can become a war of wills.
With that being said, no young person would ever think of attending a wedding in a pair of sweats and a grubby T-shirt. They wouldn’t dream of attending the prom with cut off blue jeans and dirty sneakers. They would never attend a funeral with party hats and balloons. And yet many find no issue with attending the most important occasion of their lives giving little, if any thought, about how they are presenting themselves in the house of God.
No one would suggest that every person that enters God’s house must be clothed in expensive attire. The issue however, is about leaving your best apparel at home while you come to church “just any old way.” We often hear the phrase that we should always put our best foot forward; that we are emissaries of God. Is not our outward appearance a sign for how close we align ourselves to God’s plan of righteousness as emissaries? Isn’t John’s statement that we cannot be of this world and be of Christ relevant here? When we leave the house to attend services, shouldn’t it be obvious to those who view us that we are going to the house of God and NOT to the ball park or the beach!
If we do not teach our young people about looking their best for the Lord, how are they ever to know? Wearing a tie or coat, while waiting on the Lord’s Table, isn’t to look pretty, it is to say to all present what an important event communion really is. After all, it is the primary reason we come together on Sunday. It is the most important OCCASION of our lives and deserves our best intent.
“Do not love the world or the things
in the world. If anyone loves the
world then the Father is not in him.”
I John 2:15
There seems to also be no clear understanding of what modesty is in church. If Christians are to not be of this world, then the world cannot be the deciding factor about what modesty is! Just because the world views the female body as something to be shown, doesn’t mean that Christians may participate. People of faith have always been the leaders in matters such as these and yet it seems we have somehow diluted the borderline which separates us from “the world.”
If Christian example is to continue on the path of righteousness, the issue of modesty needs to be addressed. We can clearly say what is not modest attire i.e. Britney Spears but why is it that we stop short of saying what is? This aspect is crucially important when it comes to our young people. The truth that, “What one generation tolerates the next will embrace.” is a truth which affects not only the world but the church as well. Are we tolerating inappropriate clothing issues just to keep peace?
Many feel that there is a tight rope being walked here. There is always the ever-present fear that we MIGHT run some soul off with the truth about modest behaviors. While that should always be a consideration, to take a posture of silence will allow those who are watching to think that modesty is not an issue for the church at all. If we are to be an outward showing of an inner faith, then what we wear says legions about that faith and whether or not we are choosing to walk ”in” the world or not.
“For as he thinks within himself, so he is.”
Proverbs 23:7”
Peter said we should conduct ourselves in fear and trembling during the time of our stay upon earth. With that in mind, can we really afford to let the world make choices about our attire? Is there no limit to what we will tolerate before we say that some kinds of clothing are inappropriate for Christians! Or……will our silence be the medium through which immodest dress will spread like a plague.