Re(Tro)View: Dressed For Success

Dressed for Success The famous fashion maven, Coco Chanel, once said, "When accessorizing always take off the last thing you put on."  In other words, less is more when it comes to high fashion. Some folks could really use that advice.  Seeing as how my daily accessories are little more than my wedding ring (which could not come off if I wanted it to) and my watch, I think I may have to skip that bit of sartorial advice.  That isn't to say I don't pay attention to my appearance, after all the way people see us literally affects (and effects) the way the see us metaphorically.

For example, while the jury is out on whether or not school uniforms improve grades, there is no debate about how it affects overall behavior. The moment a school implements uniforms virtually every behavioral element from absence to graffiti sees a sharp downturn.  Why?  Putting on a uniform tells the mind something about your purpose.  It says to your subconscious "HEY! This is important! Act the part your clothes imply!"

Why are all schools not uniform schools?   There are various arguments.  Some valid: it takes away a sense of personal identity.  Some are invalid:  it costs too much (it's actually much cheaper to buy school uniforms).  Some are silly: the fear that uniform school kids might be teased by non-uniform school kids.

There is a reason people in authority wear uniforms.  It isn't just to look impressive, uniforms tell your mind that for the duration you have the uniform on you represent something bigger than yourself.  When a student puts on a uniform it tells their brain that now is the time to get ready to learn and be a good student. Without even realizing it we obey that little voice in the back of your mind. Whatever you are facing if you put the preparation in and have the right mental attitude, skills, and the proper equipment you can face any challenge no matter how big the challenge or how small you really feel.

The problem is preparation is hard. Being ready means you are putting the thing you are preparing for ahead of the things you could be doing right now that are easier and more fun.  The funny thing about procrastination is that it isn't inactivity.  Procrastination actually takes just as much work as preparation, it just seems like more fun. Humans are always in motion.  Even doing nothing takes effort to do. We are constantly choosing directions to go in and actions to partake of.  The act of getting ready, or as Jesus says, "Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit," is a conscious action.  It means you are forestalling other actions to achieve this one.

Procrastination tells us that we really could spend our time and energy elsewhere (like binge watching our favorite TV show on Netflix) because the thing we could be getting ready for isn't here yet and we can spend our time and energy on it when it does arrive.  But what this misses is that readiness and preparation are more than just getting ready to do something trans-formative in the future.  Preparation and readiness are trans-formative now.  Luke 12:32-40"Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. "Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks.Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them.If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves."But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour." Focusing on our faith instead of all those other clanging bells and demanding nick-knacks that make up the landscape of our day to day life seems like something we can put off to another time... time when we have the leisure to do it...a time when it is more pressing and immediate.  What we miss is that by being "dressed for action", in faith uniform if you will, subtly shifts the way we look at life.

Jesus says, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also".  When you invest in the treasure of being alert in your faith, actively preparing for a faith life through prayer, study, worship, fellowship, and praise you shift where your treasure is to God's promises and love.  In doing this you shift where your heart is.This sort of spiritual preparation clothes the soul for action and tells the mind that something worthwhile is to be had in the relationship we experience with God. Yes there is always something that seems more pressing, but choosing to look for the presence of God and being alert and prepared to serve is the real treasure.  So, take a moment and look in the mirror.  What are you wearing right now?  And are yo ready for action?  In uniform?