But sometimes we do something special - go on a date. For those times I step it up a little. I don’t dress better because it will change her feelings for me - she already knows me for who I am. I do it because I want to represent her in a positive light. She is my love, and I don’t want her to walk arm in arm with me into a nice restaurant or theater and have people wonder what a woman like her is doing with a slob like me. Let’s face it – I married up, so I need to put my best foot forward!
I am blessed to know that she already sees me every day in every situation and still loves me - but this is a date and it makes me want to “up my game” to show that she is worth the extra effort.
When I’m going to church on Sunday morning, I think of it sort of like a date. Jesus also sees me in my PJ’s and in my dirty work clothes. More than that, He sees the filth inside me (that raises its head in my thoughts and actions way too often, I’m sad to report) - and loves me just the same. Yes, I know none of this makes Jesus love me less.
Yet when I “go out” with Him, I want to put my best foot forward. After all, I am going out with the One I love, and want to show the world that my “date” is worth my time to look as good as I can, with what I’ve been given to work with. In my heart I know that He isn’t going to love me any less based on what I’m wearing, but I feel more ‘right’ when I make the effort for Him.
Please understand I am not saying people that don’t “dress up” for church are not godly or Christian or anything at all – I know many wonderful men and women of God that don’t feel this need and that’s awesome. I am not judging anyone but myself here - I can only say that I feel better when I make this effort, not that anyone else would or should. And since I feel this way, I don’t want to purposely go against that feeling... again it’s a personal thing between me and my Lord.
The Apostle Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 6 to honor God with our bodies. This doesn’t mean blue jeans are sinful, obviously. I do think that it means if the way I speak, act or dress are not honoring our Lord then there is a problem.
Again, I’m referring to the difference between what I wear to go buy groceries and walk the dog versus what I wear on a date with my One true Love. If it’s worth it for my wife, whom I’ve been married to for almost 25 years and hopefully for many more until the Lord returns or takes us to be with Him, then it is worth it for the One whom I will be married to for all eternity.
Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
#LoveMatters