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| South Bend Tribune photo by Andrew S. Hughes |
I really enjoy
watching movies! Not only are they entertaining for their acting, scripting,
production and direction, I discover many inspiring phrases which I take and
then re-context for sermons or blog posts.
One such phrase is found in the 1963 Dean Martin movie “Who’s
Been Sleeping in My Bed”. Character Stella Irving, played by Carol Burnett,
says “You never get to know someone till they put their clothes on.”
And I thought “huh”.
My sister in law, trained to be an actor and successfully having done so once
stated “all clothing is costume”. I think she meant that when we choose our
clothing, jewelry, shoes, we are trying to present an image of who we are to
those whom we find relevant.
We put on a costume
designed to showcase our natural self or perhaps to mask our self doubts.
In either case, the
costume becomes the true “social self” by which we want to engage others.
My Sgt. Pepper
costume is to showcase that I am a festive and celebratory individual and that
I quickly acknowledge that I like attention. Also, I am introverted just enough
that when I am saturated with social attention I may remove the costume and
resume my natural incognito condition.
Ah, the best of
many worlds by my choice of costume.
Aside from the
social application of this idea, there is a spiritual application.
Revelation 3: 5 says “If you conquer, you will be clothed
like them in white robes, and I will not blot your name out of the book of
life; I will confess your name before my Father and before his angels.”
At least in the
Western world, white indicates purity.
In a sense Jesus
kinda cheats the Devil out of a win. Because while our natural selves have been
muddied enough to preclude our entrance into God’s Kingdom, the costume of
purity with which Jesus adorns us presents us to God as acceptable.
The choice of the costume of purity will indicate the true spiritual
self, regardless of accumulated mud.
Remember as Stella Irving would say “You never get to know
someone till they put their clothes on.”
You are invited to put on the clothing of Christ!
