Reflection of the Heart

I know it's been a LONG time since I posted, and I'll try to get back in the habit, guys.

I want to talk about dress code in church based on a rather interesting discussion I was having with a pastor yesterday. Unfortunately, I had to take a phone call that necessitated the abrupt end to the conversation.

I had mentioned that I believe God would rather me be comfortable when attending church, rather than in a suit and tie that is not a natural outfit for me to wear. The pastor brought up an interesting point in that the Old Testament has some fairly clear guidelines of how one is to approach God. He did say that he wasn't sure what that looked like in today's culture and time, but I had responded that how we approach God is a reflection of our heart and God cares about the state of our hearts rather than the kind of clothes we wear.

Unfortunately, this is where the discussion was interrupted and so I will continue on here, in hopes of generating further discussion.

I was raised with the idea that going to church was a special occasion and that I should look my best for God. All through my childhood I would dutifully get dressed up so I could fulfill that teaching. In my teenage years, I began to go a little more casual, noticing that my peers were doing the same. Now, I dress so I will be comfortable and hardly ever wear a suit, except on occasions that it is required or when I feel like it.

One question that I always had is for those that work in office environments or workplaces that require the wearing of a suit all week...how are you dressing any differently when you go to church? This is where my childhood teaching breaks down. A suit is a suit, regardless of where it was purchased. And to say that God wants us looking our best for him is not saying a lot about the depth of God's character. Aren't we supposed to believe that he looks at the heart of a person? I'm not saying we should show up in jeans with holes all through them, but if that's all the person has, who are we to judge them?

I believe that Jesus focused more on people's hearts and that we should mirror that approach. Care for the heart and you care for the person. If you cannot get past outward appearances, then perhaps it is you who should do some self-reflection to find out what's going on beneath YOUR surface. I've heard too many stories of people who have been turned away because they did not measure up to some ridiculous rule or regulation...I even heard of an international church leader turned away from a church in his own denomination because he was carrying his guitar with him. And he was the guest speaker that day!

We must get away from a culture of judging (reality shows and programming like "American Idol" do NOT help) and move to an attitude of acceptance. If we can accept people where they are at, instead of asking them to come all the way to where we are at, then we will win many more hearts for Christ...after all, isn't that what it's all about?