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“Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator.” –– Colossians 3:9-10
I have survived this far in life without ever purchasing a tux, and given my age, there is a good chance I’ll make it to the columbarium without having owned one. I haven’t even rented a tux since my wedding (black with tails), which hopefully atoned for the unfortunate tan ones I rented in high school. For formal occasions, I have a simple black suit, and just fake it. I don’t see many red carpet walks in my future. Thanks be to God.
Yet, this is the season of the year when red carpets are resplendent with the celebrities and paparazzi strutting all over them, vying for the attention of photo editors, producers, directors, Instagram followers, fragrance manufacturers, advertising executives … oh, and anyone in their congregation of worshipers. The B-list celebrity with the microphone, well-trained in the art of fawning, has one question for the A-list celebrities as they stream by –– What are you wearing? Dolce and Gabbana; Dior; Lagerfeld; or Givenchy. From understated to bizarre to not really there at all, the preening stars strut, and I have to acknowledge that in the multiverse, I’m a couple of galaxies from understanding it all. One particular ensemble that I couldn’t wrap my head around was paraded by the scion of a megawatt star. For the most part it was understated and elegant, a fitted black tux and shiny loafers. Only, what grabbed your attention was the black castle that looked like a 4th-grader’s paper mache, project covering his head. What are you wearing? I don’t know … humiliation?
Come to find out, the headpiece wasn’t for a class project, but was a genuine Abodi, a Transylvania-centric attire designer, and it cost north of $4500!
What are you wearing? When you peruse the contents of your closet in search of what tomorrow will wear, I doubt the vampire headgear will make the cut, but what will you choose to put on? Will it be some derivation of a previous red carpet wonder, thoughtfully matched with the trending super sneaker, or will it be the first thing your hand touches added to the second thing your hand touches? They don’t match in the slightest which is exactly how much you care.
However, whether your wardrobe is an obsessive issue for you or an afterthought, what is it you hope people will remember after being with you? He had a great outfit but a sour disposition … He looked like he was dressed by a tornado, but what a sweet and generous individual. Being best dressed doesn’t necessarily correlate to being well remembered. Is our effort to mimic the magazine model matched by an effort to be a decent human being? Paul wonders –– But now you must get rid of all such things—anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. When we dress to impress, what is the impression we hope to leave with those we meet? Clothes fall out of style, but character holds fast in the memory of your community. As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Is there space in your closet for these things?
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