Whose Name Are You Wearing?

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of visiting a friend at her home. Over some pleasant iced tea, we were able to catch up, and she showed me pictures of her new granddaughter.

At some point, we began discussing fashion trends and what’s changed. She shared how as a teenager her grandmother wouldn’t allow her to be seen in a pair of jeans off their family farm. Now, not only are jeans popular and accepted as casual and even church-wear, but they’re “in vogue” if they’re cut, ripped, patched, or torn.

My friend also shared how she has noticed girls sporting a company name or logo on hats, polos, gym bags, and the back of their pants. This caused me to muse on these companies’ clever marketing ploys. Rather than paying us to popularize their product, we as consumers pay extra for the privilege of wearing their brand.

Why do we fall for this? We want people to know who we are, and we don’t mind giving these companies free publicity. We eagerly seek to flaunt our status, taste, or influence, and they don’t mind at all providing that symbol, provided we bear the expense. O how much we would save if we didn’t allow our folly and pride to be so exploited!

On a spiritual note, this made me wonder, whose name are we wearing? What are we dressed in? Do we don garments of praise (Is. 61:3) and robes of righteousness (Is. 61:10)? Compassion? Kindness? Humility? Gentleness and patience (Col. 3:12)? And whose name is on them? Do we choose the clothing of drunkenness? Sexual immorality? Dissension or jealousy? Or do we clothe ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 13:14)?

Clothing showcases our loyalty. What we like. The people we’re trying to please. The people we honor. Of course, we are more than our wardrobe and the logos of companies we like or want to support. And we shouldn’t judge people or jump to conclusions based on such limited information. Regardless, what we sport and promote and how we dress says something about us, whether we like or not.

Let us prayerfully ensure we are showcasing not only what we intend but that which our God honors.