Dressed For The Job
I was planning to look at property and I was in dress slacks and a branded dress shirt. I did remember my boots. Thankfully, I was in a 4 X 4 Ranger and I did gets leaves and twigs on me, but I was able to go back to work and look mostly normal the rest of the day. Looking back, I should have probably slipped on a pair of jeans and a different shirt.
The clothes we wear say something about the work we do. When a doctor shows up in scrubs, it seems appropriate. When a CEO shows up in scrubs, they appear to be his pajamas. I do think our outer dress is important.
In the Old Testament the outer dress of the priest was significant. From the clothes that touched his skin, to the most outer garment, there was purpose in his dress. The Lord designed the outfit – the robe, the sash, the breastplate, the inner garments, etc.… I am so thankful that the pastors and ministers today don’t have to wear all of that. Check this out….
4 So Moses followed the Lord’s instructions, and the whole community assembled at the Tabernacle entrance. 5 Moses announced to them, “This is what the Lord has commanded us to do!” 6 Then he presented Aaron and his sons and washed them with water. 7 He put the official tunic on Aaron and tied the sash around his waist. He dressed him in the robe, placed the ephod on him, and attached the ephod securely with its decorative sash. 8 Then Moses placed the chestpiece on Aaron and put the Urim and the Thummim inside it. 9 He placed the turban on Aaron’s head and attached the gold medallion—the badge of holiness—to the front of the turban, just as the Lord had commanded him. (Leviticus 8:4-9 NLT)
The people would come to the priests anytime they wanted to repent before the Lord. They did not have direct access to Him. They also could not simply ask for forgiveness and receive it. They had to kill an animal to atone for their sin. That would be a bit sobering and cause me to reflect more on my sin. I have to admit that when I ask for forgiveness today, I often commit the same sin again – the death of Jesus as the Ultimate Sacrifice for sin is not as “in my face” as putting my hands on an animal to kill it because of something I did.
I’m so thankful that the Lord has cut through all the “pomp and circumstance” and works directly in my heart. He doesn’t care what I’m dressed like, but He does care about how my heart is dressed. He is so patient and kind. He is full of grace and mercy. I deserve some serious punishment, but instead I receive forgiveness and grace.
I want to come before the Lord with my heart dressed to the max – gratefulness, humility, love, repentance, and grace. The Lord can use my heart to serve Him but loving and serving others. I am so thankful that I can roll out of bed looking crazy and jacked up, with my bed clothes and bad breath and He examines my heart as I examine His Word. I’m excited about going to church this morning with my fellow church family members and seek the Heart of God as He continues to shape my heart. Our church fellowship is definitely casual dress or dress up – my “heart dress” matters most!
Pressing On!
Dwayne