Written by Janet Orgain
Dress code. This phrase does not usually inspire positive feedback, especially from the modern college student. In our society, creative expression is viewed as essential in becoming the complete and mature “you.” We just do not like being told what to wear or what not to wear, whether in school or in sports or even… in worship. We try to find ways to “beat the system” and elude the rules. I have done it, and I imagine I am not alone.I am not writing to persuade everyone to dress alike when we come to worship, nor to designate a “dress code patrol” to inspect incoming worshippers.I just want to bring up a sobering point that is easily forgotten: It’s not about us.I think we forget that worship is not about us. When I came to Harding, almost every well-wisher advised me to have fun and to do exactly what I wanted to do because as I get older, it is not going to be just about me anymore. I was being liberated to make every decision and every opportunity exactly what I wanted it to be. Yet when I take that mindset to the throne room of God and make worship what I want, I start to have problems.Worship is not about what I get out of it. Worship is not about what songs I want to sing or what lessons I want to hear or what I want to wear. Worship is about offering our best to God. “Our best” applies to everything, yet the one we get hung up on and even part ways over is how we dress.I believe we do need to bring our best, including our attire. Do not get me wrong. Offering my best every Sunday in every aspect of worship is an extreme challenge that I struggle with regularly. I have by no means perfected it, but I have come to realize the importance of giving God our best. Why do we make a point to wear respectful clothing to a wedding or a banquet or a funeral, yet fail to do so while honoring the sacrifice of Christ? What does that say about the importance we place on that event? Is it even a big deal?Another pitfall is paying too much attention to dress. This is where the “I could never afford that” and “I cannot believe she is wearing that” come in. Again, we start to focus on what we want or prefer.When we come back to the realization that worship is for God, we remember that everything should be directed to him and for him. My best may not be your best.When we keep the right attitude and focus on God, we will not be prone to judge.What we wear in worship is not about a dress code; it is about a mindset. And when we come before God, we should not only be clothed in Christ, but also clothed in respect for our Maker.
