Who are you wearing?

“Who are you wearing?” is a question made popular by the late Joan Rivers as she interviewed movie stars at various awards ceremonies in Los Angeles. Often, people watching the Oscar Awards will post, “who are you wearing,” on Facebook to see who or what others are wearing as they watch the event. I have to admit, it is amazing to see the gowns and tuxedos Hollywood stars wear as they all turn out in their best for the biggest award night of the year.

Usually I am too busy to watch the Oscars, but I do love to catch a glimpse of the styles and fashion worn this night. In my heart, I know I have chosen a life far different from the red carpet parade. I also realize “Hollywood style” is a bit frivolous and probably meaningless to my everyday life. Who really cares who is wearing who? Aren’t we supposed to be concerned with the heart and not the outward appearance?

Attempting to swing myself back to reality and be a good Christian, I decided to read the Bible to take my mind off frivolous fashion. I looked up “wearing” on biblegateway.com to see what God had to say about clothing, although I was pretty sure I already knew.

Several passages came up: Joseph wearing his colorful robes, kings and queens wearing crowns, soldiers wearing swords.

Hmmm, ok.

I skimmed down the list until I came to James 2:2-3.

Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

Not exactly a red carpet event but pretty close. I suddenly felt the question shift in my mind to “who am I wearing?” I don’t want to be “wearing” pride and arrogance and making a display of judging others (EVIL is what God calls it), but I do. More often than I care to admit.

Feelings of guilt and shame began to well up within me so I kept skimming Bible Gateway and found this precious verse.

Galatians 3:27, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have CLOTHED yourselves with Christ.

Yes, this! Even though my fashionista wannabe heart often sways me in the wrong direction, THIS is what I want people to see.

Christ.

My feelings of guilt changed to gratefulness to God who covers my imperfections with His perfection.