Heaven’s Fashion Show

Dear Friends,

My childhood church was The Church of the Epiphany, located a few blocks from the White House in downtown Washington, D.C. This was a very “proper” church, where gentlemen wore ties, most ladies wore hats, and decorative nails on the pews prompted ushers to reserve seats for larger donors. As a young man, I’m pretty sure I never heard a sermon at Epiphany based on James 2:1-5 (NLT):

“My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives? Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith?”

Webster defines epiphany: “a moment in which you suddenly see or understand something in a new or very clear way.” A couple years ago, I had my own epiphany when I had the opportunity to once again attend a church service at the Church of the Epiphany. The pews still had the decorative nails, but now, homeless men and women slept where the elite had once worshipped. No one seemed to take notice of the poor who had taken refuge in the church, except when one of the ladies of the church would shake one of the sleepers who had started to snore a bit too loudly. All are welcome.

In Matthew 11:28, Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” He didn’t impose a dress code; He offered His rest to all who would come to Him. Are we as welcoming as Jesus? Are we willing to embrace all who need the Lord, or just those that fit into our comfort zone?

This past week I went for my regular haircut at John’s Barber Lounge in Lake Forest. A seventy year old white guy is a bit out of place at John’s; I don’t ask for a fade with texture, the only gang I ever belonged to was the Marine Corps, and tattoos just aren’t my thing. But I get a good haircut and it’s cheap, so John’s is where I go. As I sat down in the chair, Philly, a former drug user whose looks reflect his rough past asked, “Aren’t you the dude that dropped off that worship tape for one of the barbers?”

“Yes, I thought she needed it.”

“Bro, she needs that and a lot more!” He shook his head, and then spent the next ten minutes sharing with me how someone had brought him to Christ and changed his life—someone who was not concerned what he looked like, but with what he could be like. Lord, help us to see people as you do.

Heaven’s Fashion Show
Last night I had a crazy dream – what caused it I don’t know; it might have been the sauerkraut or my last Cup of Joe.
I tossed and turned; I tried to sleep – my wife gave me a nudge. I dreamed of heaven’s fashion show, and I became a judge.
The runway wasn’t paved with gold and there were no applause. The models weren’t what you’d expect; In fact, they made me pause.
None were wearing fancy clothes from Gucci, Coach or Chu; in fact, the very best of them was dressed much worse than you.
In dungarees, in funny hats, in shoes worn thin from use, was this some freakish fashion show or just runway abuse?
Abuse of all the rules I’d known of proper ways to dress, this couldn’t be a fashion show; this was a fashion mess.

Just then the Chief Judge took His place and told me to depart. “You judge a person’s outer self; I look upon the heart.
My temple is a holy place and it deserves respect; but judging folks for how they look is not what I expect.
I love the flashy fashion plate whose clothes mask inner fears. I love the man in cutoff jeans who’s served the poor for years.
I even love the pastor whom some people criticize; her humble clothes conceal a heart that’s precious in My eyes”
I woke to find it was a dream, and boy was I relieved. I thanked the Lord and took to heart the warning I’d received.
I pray the Chief Judge, Jesus Christ, will help me do my part: to share His love by looking for the good that’s in the heart.

Blessings,
Your Friends in Christ