Heart vs Action

In the Western world, there's a de-emphasis on the idea of dressing smart. In fact, one can say that the art of looking great in a suit is a dying art. Many corporations (Google, Pixar & Intel for example) allow employees to wear as they like to work. Some go further by allowing employees to work as they like too! The incurred 'professionalism' is lost with these ideas. A certain level of 'class' is lost with this too. Gone is the smart suit people who take pride in looking professional everywhere they go.

On the other hand, casualness invites a certain level of calmness with it. Without the contraints of tie and shirt, some people actually perform better. In a relaxed environment, some actually thrive. My ex-housemate even once confessed that he can do more work at home than at work! And on another level, being casual invites people to approach you. The suit, while showing a higher class, can also dispel people away. It's rigit, unconforming, static. The t-shirt is casual, friendly, easy to wear. Personally, I hate approaching people in suits because it's all business. A person in jeans/shorts looks more welcoming and I'd rather spend my time with them.

In looking at the difference between the 2 styles, it also symbolically shows the difference between doing something from the heart and doing something because it has to be done. Anyone can feed the homeless but it takes a really caring and loving heart to care for them. Anyone can donate money to a cause but it takes the sacrifice of those who truly champion the cause to run it. You can serve in church all your life, in all the ways and still, have no heart to see God's plan for yourself. When the heart is right, it doesn't matter what is wore on the outside. The job will still get done, and it will be done excellently.

But what if you find yourself having a bad day? Especially a bad day when you have to face customers/strangers? Would you hide behind a false facade? Or will you let your face reflect your soul? Sadly, many in the Asian world still put a higher emphasis on the facade. We can't lose 'face'. Whatever happens within, don't let it be shown to the outsiders. Maintain that 'professionalism'. And sometimes, it's a dilemma for Christians. If we were in a situation where we can't smile, shall we put on a fake smile? We are meant to be salt and light to the world but how is being sad or down in the dumps being salt and light?

This especially becomes important in serving the Lord. We want to bless those around us. But can we when we feel like our hearts are bleeding internally? When you have to usher people in with a smile but you can't find a reason to smile anymore. When you can't see the wood for the trees, can you still disciple others? Do we pull away, not be part of the service? Or do we just power through; putting on a front that's insincere?

We will all face issues where we become human. Where our lives are not sweetness and hunky dory. Where we get angry, confused, hurt, misunderstood. And sometimes yes, we just got to lay our problems aside because we want to serve others. But we also must go back to the problem and work it out. Don't lay aside a personal problem because it's in the way. God has put that problem there because there's something He wants to teach us through it. So we have to work it out. With His grace, we will!

And when we want to serve, God will provide the will to smile and approach people. We just have to trust in His timing and His will be done. He alone provides the power and the love for us to serve well. On our own, we cannot do it. Our iniquities will not allow us to always be pouring out onto others. On our own, we will crash and burn. The good news is, we don't have to do it alone. God is our helper! He will see things through. He is the great deliverer! Nothing He starts will ever stop or finish badly. He is really just that awesome.

God said everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. That means we are still permitted to show grief, to be sad, to get angry. But we must see whether this benefits us. If it does, then let's learn the lesson quick! If it just brings us down, it's time to get rid of it.

So in God, we can both serve well as well as still be in pain. It is His grace and His power that allows us to do both with a sincere heart.But we must continue to be careful: let's serve the Lord with all our heart, all our mind and all our soul. Let's serve Him through a sincere love for Him and a willingness to see His will be done. Let His glory shine down and Him alone be glorified.

God looks at our hearts; so what we wear really isn't a biig deal. I still don't believe in wearing suits and ties and I think I never will be comfortable with that. But there's a reason and as long as God says so, that's what I do. Amen.