Material items can be a form of expression. They can be a form of art or deemed as a ticket to popularity or self worth. We can posses these items but these items can also posses us. Our tunnel vision can ensue when we see something visually pleasing which then triggers the "need" aspect VS the "want". It can lead us to making rash decisions and even poor life choices depending on our mentality of where these items are ranked in our own lives.
You can call me a hipster, go ahead. I really enjoy some of the styles that are deemed "Hipster" or even "Hippie" Clothing in its self can be a form of expression or a form of fitting in. Often times our fashion and our cultures or personal backgrounds don't tend to clash.
Let me dig a bit deeper... Bring yourself back to high school (As hard as that might be). Do you remember walking around the halls and knowing who you got along best with. You knew your best friends and you knew who you "didn't want to hang out with" This may be a far fetched stereotype but perhaps think about movies like Mean Girls or Never Been Kissed. Think about how the "nerd" of the movie whether a main character or not has always been the butt of jokes or the plot line of transformation. How with in that the clothes we wear and the ways we make ourselves look can feel crucial compared to how God has created us to be.
My other perspective that relates to this is the fact that we as Christians or Jesus lovers, people lovers, whatever you would like to call Gods children, we are called to walk alongside everyone. We are not dressed in physical righteousness of white robes or gold trimmed jeans but rather we are normal people who blend in just like Jesus had.
"Paul a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God-" Romans 1:1
"But when God, who set me apart from my mother's womb and called me by his grace, was pleased"- Galatians 1:15
"Such a high priest truly meets our need- one who is holy blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens."- Hebrews 7:26
God works through us to work alongside in others lives.
With in this life, these cultures and this era even in eras past it is always better to blend in and be cautious when making new friends or creating community in a foreign place. It kind of makes me think of that guy who took a long time to be able to live among a pack of wolves... To dress alike, to act alike to come along side someone and to build trust with them. To blend in with what those around us find comfort in and build life and giving living water with in that.
I like style. I might even be a hipster but clothes are a huge way to relate in our culture and multiple other cultures. It brings something similar. something to relate to. "I like your shoes." or "I have the same scarf." often begin conversations more than we ever have nerve to just walk up to someone and say hello. A lot of time we make the first connection based on known commonalities.
I wont wear all skinny jeans or pattagucci (Patagonia brand) but I also wont base my connections or relationships off of what we wear what we eat, who we succeed or fail to be everyday. Instead I'd like to blend in and come along side of whoever God calls me to minister too. He has given us blessed gifts and ideas of fashion and expression to communicate more than we even realize.
So what can we communicate back?
-Keep Adventuring.
Hope on my support team!
Here's How
