Are You Standing Out?

Skirts. They’re annoying to deal with. I can’t run as well, I can’t climb around much,  and they’re just in general rather frustrating.

I used to avoid them as much as possible. I would wear them basically just to Church and special events. But recently I started wearing them more. Why? 

Last summer our family went to Six Flags, and, being a writer as I am, I was people watching the entire day. I love observing little interactions occurring around me, and just studying individuals and speculating about what kind of life they have. Especially when I am standing in line for a ride near the same people for half an hour.

Anyways, sometime during the day, I am in line for the Superman ride, and in front of me are these two young Indian ladies, maybe 18 or 20, who are dressed pretty much the way I assume they dress in India, with their long flowing dresses and their hair covered. The line was long, and so I had a good amount of time to muse over them. What stood out to me the most was how completely comfortable they seemed, despite being the only ones around dressed that way. They laughed and chattered away the entire time, seemingly completely carefree. Of course I’m sure they were used to it, but I remember thinking, “I would feel really self conscious if I was one of them.”

Then, when we got on the ride, I was thinking, “How awkward it must be for them, wearing dresses!” But I look over, and they don’t seem to be having any trouble at all. Furthermore, they appeared to be just as comfortable as anyone else, and if I am any judge, they enjoyed the ride a whole lot, upside-downs and all.

At another time that same day, I saw a group of girls that seemed to be Christian, probably Baptist (not that I agree with there being denominations, as I mentioned in this post), all in their jean skirts. When I saw them, I looked down at my t-shirt and jeans and I realized something.

Yes, what I was wearing was modest. It was a whole lot better than what most of the girls around me were wearing. But what I was wearing didn’t show my faith.

I knew when I saw the Indian ladies that they were Indian. I knew when I saw the Baptist girls that they were Baptist.

And I want people to KNOW when they look at me that I am a child of God. That I believe in Jesus Christ. That I am a girl with character. Even if I’m just passing by, I want people to be able to tell.

My actions.

My words.

My appearance.

I want them to stand out. 

I might be one of the only Christians someone ever sees. I might be the only light that ever crosses someone’s path. I might be the only proof to someone that there are still people that have standards and are trying to do right.

In the end, yes, I still wear jeans. There are some things that would not be appropriate to do in a skirt. But that isn’t really the point I was trying to make. This wasn’t a talk about modesty.

What I am trying to say is, it’s actually good to stand out. We try to avoid it, but we shouldn’t. Just our appearance alone can be a huge testimony, and we should take advantage of that. Yes, it might be uncomfortable or inconvenient, even embarrassing at moments. I of all people would know, because I was super shy when I was younger and I still am a little bit. But the impact you can have is so remarkable!

So, fellow believers…are we standing out? Let’s ask God to help us to make a difference by the way we appear before others, and then go and be different.

~LDC

2 Corinthians 6:17, 18
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Has God been challenging you in this area recently? What are your thoughts? Leave a comment! I love hearing from you!