Year of Realization - Day 10: “Dress” for success.

"Thus prepared, each young woman went to the king, and she was given whatever she desired to take with her from the women’s quarters to the king’s palace. In the evening she went, and in the morning she returned to the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch who kept the concubines. She would not go in to the king again unless the king delighted in her and called for her by name. Now when the turn came for Esther the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her as his daughter, to go in to the king, she requested nothing but what Hegai the king’s eunuch, the custodian of the women, advised. And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all who saw her.”

‭‭Esther‬ ‭2‬:‭13‬-‭15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

It seems that in many businesses, as well as in other settings, having an enforced dress code is less and less likely. Now, I’ll be honest with you, I like some dress guidelines in certain situations. Actually, the church is one of those settings.

As archaic is it might seem to embrace dress codes, I like them because they can positively affect behavior in certain settings, with the church being probably one of the best examples of that dynamic.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not talking about everyone feeling pressured to have expensive cloths to wear to church. I just think that modesty for women and neatness for men (I state that this way because those are the issues most often seen. However, both should apply to men and women), helps focus the mind on the service and reflects a sense of respect for the house of the Lord. Of course, no one should ever stay out of church because they don’t have the “right” clothes. The issue is respect for the house of the Lord, not who made your clothes. Additionally, modesty and neatness are probably advisable in most situations.

Jesus, in the parable of the wedding feast, talks about someone who came to the feast but was not properly dressed:

““But when the king came in to meet the guests, he noticed a man who wasn’t wearing the proper clothes for a wedding. ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how is it that you are here without wedding clothes?’ But the man had no reply. Then the king said to his aides, ‘Bind his hands and feet and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭22‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

You see, in those days, with the invitation to the wedding feast, came the garment that was to be worn. Not wearing that garment showed disrespect.

In fact, as those invited to the Lord’s wedding feast (through our trust in Jesus as Savior and Lord), we are provided what we are to wear, but must put it on.

“Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭21‬-‭22‬, ‭24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭12‬, ‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In our opening scripture we see that Esther’s time has come for her to go before the King. As we see, each woman who was called to the King’s house was allowed to bring what she wanted to bring from her quarters. Let’s look at the part referencing this fact as it reads in the Amplified Bible:

“When it was time for her to go to the king’s palace, she was given her choice of whatever clothing or jewelry she wanted to take from the harem.”

‭‭Esther‬ ‭2‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Yes, each young woman had the right to choose what she would wear when going before the King. However, true to her modus operandi, Esther defers her choice to the wisdom of her guide. He determined with what she should adorn herself. And—as we will see—that was the right move.

Remember, we have a free will and can choose how we will present ourselves as the Bride of Christ, but if we don’t wear what our Guide has provided for us to wear, we may well be rejected.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

#yearofrealization