I’ve made a logo, I’ve decided a direction and now to write.
For the past six months or so, I’ve been on a search. I’ve been unsettled in my spirit and looking for direction. I’ve been asking and praying for my call and for the blanks to be filled in. I know that I am a teacher, that I have a desire to share.
The question is, what venue and in what timing. The answer – there were other questions that I didn’t know needed to be asked. So, I asked them. Rarely do we like the answer to unasked questions. I embraced my answers.
The title of this blog series, is a reflection of recent heart changes. I am abandoning my pretense and personal expectations of others. I am not worried about if I wear a tie or blue jeans to church. I have watched the emerging generation of believers begin turning the world on end. They are stretching me…. I have been undone by the black t-shirts and blue-jeans. But, what I realized was the my heart was envious. I have spent YEARS being overly concerned with other people’s expectations. I have tried to re-create myself to make other’s feel more comfortable, yet not give up the belief system. It doesn’t work…. I am a Gen X’r and have forsaken the freedom that those of my and the following generation seemed to embrace, because of the fear of man.
I admired from afar the freedom that folks in blue-jeans and black t-shirts seem to enjoy. I’ve had a change of heart. I’ve been recently listening to a myriad of podcasts from various churchs and I have found that I most identify with the teachers walking out in blue jeans. Their relaxed demeanor and day to day life teaching, have resonated with me.
Not because of their “greatness” but because of my failures. For too long I have buried myself in trying to understand theology and to appear like I think a good Christian should appear. The reality of the matter is that they reached a point in my heart – the pretense that I thought was necessary to show Christ’s love.
I failed to recognize that Christ looked like and had dinner with “the common man”. The difference between He and they, were His words, His Heart and His authority. Christ knew who He was and didn’t need his apparel or those around Him to establish His identity.
So, with that intro, i will be writing my next series of Blue Jean Theology soon!
3 responses so far ↓
livtopraise // March 1, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Ouch! This one’s going to be hard for me!
I’ve been working hard to show respect to the Lord by how I dress at church. One phrase that we say around here a lot is, “If you would dress up to visit the President or go to a party, then should we not dress up to go worship the King of all Kings?”
Now I know that some have been known to visit the White House in flip flops. I think it’s appalling! We want to show respect to the one hosting the event. In the case of attending church, we are honoring the guest of honor - Christ himself!
And even in saying this, I still cringe on Sunday morning when it’s time to put on polyester pants or a skirt, all I want to do is crawl back in bed! I want to wear jeans and sweaters!
And it’s not that I don’t like to dress up. I love parties and cocktail dresses, and evening gowns. Just not at 8:30 in the morning!
We’re supposed to go all out for Christ. Does this include Sunday morning attire also?
I can’t wait to read the rest of this series!
livtopraise // March 1, 2008 at 6:21 pm
By the way.. My girls went to see the Wizzard of Oz play by CYT today. One wore jeans and a scarf as a belt. The other wore her Christmas dress. It just goes to show that “dressing up” is not the same for everyone!
parealestate // March 2, 2008 at 8:45 am
This is tough for me. We are not to judge others - that is saved for the One and Only. I have to tell myself that frequently as I worship led by our worship team and they are in jeans/t-shirt style.
Mind you, I sure don’t dress like we used to going to church. I remember as my grandmother was aging with Alzheimer’s, visiting her Methodist church and during communion she thought she was whispering (very loudly) leaned over to me and said, “Can’t get over what folks wear to church these days”. Rolling her eyes in disapproval. I thought the girl looked nice, but she was in a mini skirt.
I will dress myself and my Little one like she is going to worship our Savior.
She is still not allowed to run in the sanctuary.
She is still not allowed to bring coffee/water/snacks.
I’m not sure this is exactly where you intended this to go, but its where it went for me as well as the above commenter
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