Raiment

We seek God through prayer for just about everything, believing He can and hoping He will do what we ask. Whether for allergies or auto-immune diseases, high blood pressure and cholesterol, cancer, arthritis, or diseases of the lungs, kidneys, and heart, we pray, seek treatment from physicians, and get advice from family, friends, and the internet. Our faith is unwavering. We trust God to keep us safe from harm, protect our children, bless us with employment and homes, save lost family members, deliver us from addictions and alcoholism, stay the hand of our abusers, we pray without ceasing. With the voice of triumph, we share testimonies of God’s faithfulness, of His healing power. We encourage others to believe, hold on, let God do it, just have faith.

The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. 

People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart, 1 Samuel 16:7

On occasion, our faith may falter where fabric is concerned. Linen, silk, cotton, wool, or synthetic fabric, can sometimes shift our focus and distract us from our purpose. Fabric worn by men tends to be suitable almost 99% of the time. Formal or casual, they’re generally welcomed with open arms. The fabric of a woman is as diverse as she; demure and modest, or trendy and unique. Some choose bold, bright colors, some neutral tones, and others choose dark shades. There are solids, stripes, polka dots, florals, paisleys; and to really top it off, a coordinating hat adorned with flowers or jewels. Within this diverse group, we may observe necklines plunging southward, varying lengths of hemlines and sleeves heading north, arms exposed, legs unencumbered by hose, or big toes exposed. Suddenly, our faith hits a speed bump, threatening to propel us from our pew. We strategize, roll our eyes, and purse our lips, preparing words to inform these women of the appropriate raiment for attendance and a fruitful relationship with Christ. This fabric distracts us from our songs of praise, from the voices of victory over illness and sin, and from the word of God. 

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise, Psalm 100:4

Women from all walks of life enter into God’s house for a purpose. We don’t know why they chose that day, what prayer they were seeking an answer to, or what they hoped to receive from God. We don’t know what they left behind, or what they’ll return to, but we let them know what not to wear should they return. Did they leave church feeling better than when they arrived? Or did they go home feeling defeated in their effort to seek change? Did we do or say something to encourage, uplift, and inspire them to return? Or did we offend and discourage because we were uncomfortable with their fabric choice?

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise, Proverbs 11:30

Houses of worship are full of imperfect people from front to back, left to right. Some take the risk of baring their imperfections, literally and figuratively. Others strategically hide their imperfections beneath beautiful, flawless fabric. Whether we bare it or hide it, imperfection is the common thread in the fabric of all our lives. Let’s meet people where they are, rather than where we’d like them to be. Let’s not assume to know their heart, but continually search our own.

On the doors of shopping centers and restaurants, signs are posted; no shoes, no shirt, no service.  They can refuse to serve us. We accept this and dress accordingly. I appreciate and respect dress codes in the workplace, schools, social organizations, and any place they are indicated. Houses of worship typically have signage of some sort welcoming all, unconditionally. Church is a sacred place of worship, where we should desire to adorn ourselves in garments that reflect our reverence for the house of God. However, clothing should not distract us from our duty and desire to share the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. When confronted with unflattering fabric, we must trust God for the outward manifestation of the changed heart. Our job is simply to plant the seed, lead by example, and use Godly wisdom to win souls, not an abundance of words. Timing here is critical; God’s time, not ours.  

And let us not be weary in well doing: 

for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not, Galatians 6:9

In closing, I’ll share a story of my encounter with a bat. I was in Wegmans for about 45 minutes with my tired toddler carefully selecting the perfect produce, checking labels, expiration dates, and coupons. As I unloaded my groceries onto the conveyor belt, a bat flew by. I screamed and covered my daughter’s head, and watched the flight of the bat. Customers yelled and screamed.  Some abandoned their carts and ran from the store. The scene was chaotic; an employee chased the bat with a shovel, people shrieked and ducked as the bat flew low through the checkout area. I wanted to leave, but really needed groceries, so I endured. The tiny, potentially rabid bat was a tool of distraction which caused me to temporarily lose focus on my purpose. I decided not to be defeated by the bat.

Grace & Peace,

Teretha