Keeping up appearances - digg this
Centuri0n and Phil Johnson have been blogging about authenticity and adopting an appearance/culture/lifestyle in order to be more "effective". (Hopefully) needless to say they are pro-former and anti-latter. The idea that someone would get a tattoo or wear all black to try and become some sort of weird counter culture missionary seems more than a little weird to me. Combine that with a story I read regarding a "Christian" doctor who refused to treat a little girl because her mom had a tat (and I really hope there's more than meets the eye there, like maybe mom was totin' a shotgun) and it all gives me the impression that some folks in our flock care more than a little too much about appearances.
If you enjoyed this entry subscribe to this blog by email or feed readerThis isn't just about those folks who insist that you wear a shirt and tie to church, though those folks do crawl up my... something. This is also about the adult who insists on dressing like a punk rocker. I'm gonna quote Matt from "Studio 60" here, "it's no longer cool for grown men to dress as if they're in junior high school". If you are a punk, dress that way. If you love a polyester leisure suit then fine, wear it. But if you're going to reach out to bikers, either be a biker or don't but dress like who/what you are. They'll see right through anything else.
Also in that vein, don't get so wrapped up in how other people dress. I once helped lead worship at a small Methodist church. I woke up one beautiful Sunday morning and decided to put on a nice pair of khaki shorts and a golf shirt. I went to church, did the thing, and sat down. After church the pastor came to me and told me that someone complained about me wearing shorts. He requested that I not do it any more. He requested it in such a way that it made it clear that is wasn't a suggestion. Now let me tell you, I have some mighty fine looking gams. They're a little on the hairy side mind you, but otherwise knockouts. So I could understand if someone was distracted. I don't think that was it though. I think that someone was so concerned that I was wearing shorts that it took them right out of thinking about mowing the lawn later that day worship. That made me sad. So I didn't lead worship for long after that.
There are just so many more important things about me than what I put on this morning. And there are so many more things going on in the lives of the people around you than their wardrobe might imply. I love me some clichés, as anyone who's read my fiction will tell you. And I think the one that applies here involves forests and trees. If all you can see is the foliage that someone is sporting, then it's time to look deep into your own eyes and make sure that nothing in there is blocking your vision.
Total Number of Comments: 5
Also in that vein, don't get so wrapped up in how other people dress.
So true... I just popped in on my 8th grade son the other day at school in the cafeteria and he introduced me to a girl friend (not a 'girlfriend') sitting at his table. She was dressed very Goth and the first thing I thought was "I don't want my son hanging out with girls like this." Well, I shake her hand expecting to get a grunt at best, but instead she's charming! "It's so nice to meet you Mrs. Sp**s! Nick has told me all about you."
I would have never warmed up to a young lady who looked like that if it hadn't been for my experience with Kaylee. But I still wonder, what's a sweet girl like that doing dressed up the way she is?
There are so many possible reasons why she might identify with that culture, but as I say the most important thing is what's going on on the inside. And if her reasons for dressing Goth are negative in some way you won't get her to change by blasting her out about all that black. I'm glad you took the time to get to know her!
This is a more complicated issue than it appears on the surface. I mean, everyone loves to say "Don't judge on appearances" but the simple fact is that you can and do judge on appearances and in many cases will be right. Plus, you just can't help it. We don't have the ability to see the heart- only God does. And we don't have to time to intimately get to know every person with whom we interact.
I wrote about this last month on my blog in regards to weight loss. A lot of heavy people who lose weight are really bent out of shape (pun intended) about how the way people respond to them has changed. They waste a lot of anger and bitterness on it. But the truth is that being obese (and I speak from personal experience) does send a signal about who you are on the inside. Taking the time to change it sends another signal... Know what I mean? Anyway - you can read the post iffen you want.
Of course, we should treat all with courtesy and consideration. And we should always remember that our first impressions could be wrong. But I think it's incumbent upon the individual to take responsibility for how well their packaging matches their product.
Example - and then I'll quit - In high school, my brother dressed in all black, heavy metal tees, and accessorized with metal chains. He also had severe allergies which gave him a pale complexion and red rimmed eyes. Funny - but when he was out and about, people treated him like he was a druggie/thug/potential shoplifter. Hey - that's what he LOOKED like. Never mind that he was actually very nice and moral. He was presenting an image to the world.
Know who you are and adorn yourself accordingly ~ Epicetus
Good points all, blest. We're only human and will judge accordingly and how you dress/appear often does speak volumes as to what's going on inside. My fear is that we all too often misunderstand and then take that to a level where we condemn. That's what I'd like to avoid.
Excellent summation Dude!!