Modesty is More Than Outward Appearance
Guest Blog by Shannon Sinclair
Today, I decided to wear one of my favorite shirts. It is a blue floral patterned v-neck t-shirt, perfect for the wonderful weather here. I also put on a pair of my favorite old blue jeans, bell bottom style. I grabbed my purse and headed out the door.
Today, I decided to wear one of my favorite shirts. It is a blue floral patterned v-neck t-shirt, perfect for the wonderful weather here. I also put on a pair of my favorite old blue jeans, bell bottom style. I grabbed my purse and headed out the door.
As I was out and about, something happened. It was as if I was cold, without shivering, and shy without blushing. What was wrong with me? I even met with my counselor and mentioned to her that I had been wearing shirts a bit lower in the neck area due to my goiter, that is sensitive to tight necklaces, high collars, etc. She didn't think there was anything wrong with my shirt. She thought the style was cute, modern.
I then stopped in at an apartment complex that was leasing new units, and saw some one who I had known to be a christian man, very devout, strong values. I felt terribly uncomfortable! As if I should have had a coat on or something. I felt embarrassed. As I left there and then headed home, I realized that what I had felt was vulnerability. Not so much to UV rays, or insects-but to exposing a part of my heart that I don't feel everyone should see.
The part that saves the best, for the very best things. The part that knows better than to let it all show. I didn't look sleazy by any means. Yet, I looked modern. Just as I have lived "modern." Looking back, I am not thrilled with this. I wear my hair and cosmetics conservatively, and have toned the jewelry down too. I love Mary Jane flat shoes, so that is feminine. Looking in my closet (a.k.a disaster zone) I saw several of my denim skirts that I used to wear often. In fact, there was a time when I wore them nearly every day. What happened to me? Sure, I gained a few pounds, but did I lose something too?
Maybe I gave up on myself, because a christian knight in armor didn't swoop me away, my bank account did not increase, and my medical reports didn't improve. I had the attitude that there was no point in paying close attention to modesty, because everyone else wears jeans, and sports the t-shirt bum look, so who cares? No one is coming over, so why bother? Who cares if I go to the corner store looking like a peddler? So what my blouse has a mustard stain, and my hair is stringy. God doesn't judge, right? He looks at the heart?
Then a voice tells me; "True, but You can do better!"
Then I think of when we had picture day in school where we put on our best outfit and looked our best. Why can't picture day be everyday? Why should looking good be reserved for certain days? Isn't everyday the Lord's day? If we live in a world where looks are everything, then why can't people strive to look good? I am not talking about looking "in" or "popular." Looking good. Well-groomed, appropriate, sophisticated, intelligent, smart. Those things all define modesty. Knowing that God knows me better than myself. Knowing that he wants me to be regarded as a person who respects myself, and therefore looks respectable.
Who wants to be judged based on how low-cut their top is? Or how curvaceous they appear? I guess I could sum it up with saying that we as christians should be cashmere in a polyester world!
Who wants to be judged based on how low-cut their top is? Or how curvaceous they appear? I guess I could sum it up with saying that we as christians should be cashmere in a polyester world!
posted by Crystal Paine at 5:03 PM
7 Comments:
Exactly! :-)
This was a very encouraging post! Thank you so much!!!
I like it!
I totally agree. I keep thinking about how my dress is reflected on others.
I agree, but I would also like to say that you can be modest and wear fashionable clothing, you just have to be careful. I think that I tend to dress to please my husband more than God, and that can be dangerous too! LOL!
Conservative and beautiful, that's the goal?!
You said: "I had the attitude that there was no point in paying close attention to modesty, because everyone else wears jeans, and sports the t-shirt bum look, so who cares?"
Why can't you wear jeans and a t-shirt and look good? True, they aren't appropriate for every occassion, but I even put special thought into my casual outfits. I'm not saying every t-shirt and every pair of jeans is appropriate either because there are definitely the see-through, sprayed-on varieties.
Amy Jones
Amy, Thanks for your comment.
I don't think Shannon was saying that every pair of jeans and every T-shirt is always wrong, she was just saying that we should strive to dress beautifully and modestly because it does matter to God. Obviously, the heart is most important, but our outward appearance should be a reflection of our inner heart.
I've been reading through Exodus and the parts where the tabernacle dimensions and information is given. I keep thinking of how precise and orderly everything was and then I keep thinking of how our bodies are the temples of the Lord. As such, we should strive to dress in a decent, orderly, and feminine manner. We can glorify the Lord even in something like dress -- which might seem insignificant.
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