Do you dress up?

I grew up in an era when we “put on our best for God.” We called them “Sunday clothes.” Now, with a clear attempt to make sure people know they are welcome at a weekend service, we’re far more casual. By the way, that’s not a bad thing. This hasn’t even been a discussion for a couple decades, but I just started thinking about it when I took this picture.

I first came to Community in 1987. I always wore a suit on Sundays. A few years later we had already started to become more casual (but it was more business casual), when one moment changed our church.

My wife had been trying to get a lady she worked with at a school to come to church. She repeatedly said, “I don’t have anything nice to wear.” My wife, knowing it was more important to get her here than to have her achieve a dress code, said, “Just come as you are.” (Or something like that.)

She showed up!!! But one lady noticed her “not so nice” attire and made a comment. Michelle heard it…spun around…and said something like, “I’ve been trying to get her here for two years. We should be glad she’s here.”

Michelle was right…and still is.

It’s one thing to put on our best for God, and that’s fine. However, it might just mean more to God if we got our best friends to join us at a weekend service…whatever clothes they have to wear.

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-30 MSG)