Simply Splendid
“Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.” I was fascinated by these words, “splendor of holiness.” When I researched this, I learned that when David was telling the people to proclaim of the glory of the Lord before the nations, they were also to worship the Lord in splendid attire (1 Chronicles 16:24, 29). I’m not sure the ladies of that time were as concerned about following the trend reports as some of us are. But certainly they must have heard about the request coming from none other than the king himself.
When slipping into your outfit this Sunday morning, your first priority is to consider the way in which you will prepare yourself to worship God. Of course, this isn’t saying that how we dress ourselves for church is the only way to prepare ourselves, but certainly it isn’t less than this.
I’m all for, “come just as you are” to Christ, but ladies, really now, once we know and love Him as His own special children, shouldn’t we want to represent Him in the best way? (Warning: let’s be careful to not use this measuring rod to beat up some new believer who has not had balanced and biblical teaching about modesty.) Let each of us take a minute to think and assess our own selves on this often touchy subject.
Our bodies are the temple, are the sacred dwelling place of the Holy Spirit of God. While we must consider the beauty and cleanness of our souls as the most important quality, shouldn’t we want to reflect, not distract from, the loveliness of His presence that is part of all of us? I have often heard women use as an excuse, “God knows my heart.” In other words, “I will dress and behave however I may choose.”
No, no, because of the certainty of the resurrection, in our bodies we will see God. What we wear reveals to a watching world something of what we believe. Does the way you care for, protect, esteem, use, and yes, even dress yourself tell of this wonderful truth?
Every part of your being: spirit, soul, and last but not least your body, will appear in splendor before God. This is what Christianity teaches, and it is what we as Christian women must keep in mind when flipping the pages of the latest “In Style” magazine, trying to decide which “look” is best for us!
7 comments
Mindy | July 10, 2011
At last, THANK you for the 'God knows my heart' excuse used. And while it's nice to look nice, I'd like to ask that women with short skirts & clevage think what they are doing (inadvertantly perhaps, maybe on purpose) to their Christian brothers who STRUGGLE with the flesh. I pray that women would think about them, daddys & husbands (maybe your own being tempted by someone else?) who want to remain faithful to their families... Church grounds should be a safe haven for our men.
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Terri | July 12, 2011
Cathe,
Great article!!! Good word from the Lord seasoned with grace for the new believer and an exhortation to us older believers.
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Jennifer | July 13, 2011
Very well & gracefully said Cathe.
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Brandi | July 14, 2011
Thank you! I really enjoy what you have to say. You have a very loving demeanor.
I was at Girl Talk last night in OC and thought you looked adorable... I was wondering where I could find that cute shirt you were wearing.... would LOVE to know!!
Thank you and God bless!
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Lisa Marie | July 15, 2011
I loved what you said; He of course sees everything we do and say. If I am going out to dinner I generally want to look nice, or to a gathering; again feeling good about what I wear is often important. How much more should I want to look pleasent in my Father's eyes. "Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness,” new meaning for me, it makes me very excited to prepare.....what am I going to wear for my Father this Sunday.
Thank you Cathe.
God Bless,
Lisa Marie
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Carrie | July 18, 2011
Amen!! Well said! Thank you, thank you for addressing this issue/topic, and please bring it up again and again until we see all the women dressing modestly....it is confusing to my 14 year old daughter when I tell her to cover up more and then come to church and see women wearing like a tiny bathing suit swing top.
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Kathy | July 11, 2014
Thank you Cathe for saying this so beautifully. We are a reflection of Christ inside and out..It has been a tender subject for churches to talk about. well said.. Amen
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