Ours is a t-shirt and flip-flops sort of church, so I can get away with wearing just about anything that falls into the “modest” category.
Plus, I’m a “musician” (said in hushed tones with hand covering mouth).
So, black it is.
And black it’s been for nearly three months:
- My favorite pair of skinny jeans. (I’m a worship leader, what do you expect?)
- My crazy sloping turtle-neck sweater.
- My knee-high fleather boots and my rings and my hat and my glasses.
Let me stop before you gentlemen get bored and click that little red x in the corner of this tab.
Here’s the thing: I’m kinda sad about my current relationship with God. I don’t like it. I miss the anticipation and excitement and wonder. I miss the want-to-read-my-Bible feeling. And the goosebumps. And the expectant prayer.
To show my sadness, to recognize my loss, I wear black to church.
Because I believe that even the clothes we wear can be a gesture of worship. We can dress up to say “You’re that important to me” or dress down to say “Here I am just as I am.” Both of these expressions through attire are powerful gestures of worship–because we are reaching out to God in symbolic and literal ways.
So I wear black to church.
I know this might sound a bit crazy to y’all now, but wait until you open your closet on Sunday. Your hand might reach for a tie, or for those jeans with holes in the knees. Oh I can’t wait to find out what happens! Y’all come back here and tell me, especially if you were a secret-black-wearer.
mmm…I guess we all do that unintentionally. I’ve stopped dressing up and wore comfortable clothes so I can remain unrestricted in what I do by what I wear.
You’re right, Nikole. I don’t know if I’ve ever met a (first-world) person who didn’t choose clothing for a reason. Even Steve Jobs, with his signature black turtleneck, intentionally choose that dress-up or dress-down look so he wouldn’t have to choose clothes every single day.
That would save on laundry. LOL.
I usually wear the clothes I would wear to work. Khakis and a button-up.
Sometimes, maybe, I’m trying to see my spiritual life and work life as one. Other times, maybe I’m seeing Sunday as just another work day where I have to get up for something.
Great post!
ha! I can see how both perspectives work! 🙂 Thanks for commenting.
Nothing wrong with that.
🙂 Thanks Megan!
I went three years wearing black and gray. It was a thoughtful attempt to simplify, both practically and philosophically. It really did change how I felt. I only have black T-shirts so I might need to shop to relive that.
I am all for dressing to express–if even just to ourselves–our hearts and minds. Now, I wore a hat a total of three times to church. For some reason, that caused a stir. Then someone reminded me I was the wrong gender according the New Testament.
You? Causing a stir? I can’t believe it! 😉 Thanks for commenting, Rich.
Haven’t been to church at all for awhile. I attend a couple Bible studies though. In some other life I was a pastor’s wife… and a musician. I’ve been the custodian, and the child care provider, and the secretary. I guess I don’t know what to do with myself just Being There.
To my Bible studies I’ve been just casual. This will make me think. What I wear does indeed affect my mood; and also express my mood.
Thank you so much for the comment, Linda. I love your honesty! And your capitalization of “Just Being There.” I can imagine how strange that would feel. I’m glad you have bible studies that you’re a part of. Sort of like how they did things back in the early church days. 🙂 I think that counts. And I think casual is ok, too. But you may find that little things like attire can add a worshipful element to your attendance, even if secretly.
Can I wear the new trend of snakeskin yo church. Hipster church as well. I just though oh know are my new booties sac religous.