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Who’s in the Mirror?
“‘Has anyone fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch?’” (Matthew 6:27, The Message).
“‘Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.’ 1 John 2:15, 16. “‘Be not anxious.’ Matthew 6:25, R.V.
He who has given you life knows your need of food to sustain it. He who created the body is not unmindful of your need of raiment. Will not He who has bestowed the greater gift bestow also what is needed to make it complete?
“Jesus pointed His hearers to the birds as they warbled their carols of praise, unencumbered with thoughts of care, for ‘they sow not, neither do they reap;’ and yet the great Father provides for their needs. And He asks, ‘Are not ye of much more value than they?’ R.V.
"No sparrow falls without His care,
No soul bows low but Jesus knows;
For He is with us everywhere,
And marks each bitter tear that flows.
And He will never, never, never
Forsake the soul that trusts Him ever." (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 95).
Read Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, pp. 95-98
“‘It is not your dress that makes you of value in the Lord’s sight. It is the inward adorning, the graces of the Spirit, the kind word, the thoughtful consideration for others, that God values” (Messages to Young People, p. 314).
WHO’S IN THE MIRROR?
Sara and her mom were cleaning out the basement, getting ready to pack their stuff before moving. “Hey, look at all the old clothes in here!” Sara said, throwing open the lid of a dusty trunk.
Her mom looked over her shoulder, laughing. “Hey, that’s my stuff from high school!” she said. “Haven’t seen that in a while.”
Sara pulled out two tie-dyed T-shirts. “These are pretty cool.” Underneath was a pair of jeans. “What did you do to your jeans?” she asked, seeing the bright triangles of color that ran up both legs.
Sara’s mom took the jeans from her. “This was very stylish in 1977, I’ll have you know!” she said. “We used to buy jeans with the widest possible legs—bell-bottoms, they were called. Then we’d cut up the seams and sew in extra pieces of fabric to make them even wider.”
“It certainly is—eye-catching.” Sara admitted. “I thought wide-legged jeans were back in style now,” her mom teased. “You could wear these to school.”
“‘Uh, thanks but no thanks,’ Sara said, continuing to look through her mother’s old clothes. ‘Isn’t that funny, though? Old styles come back, but they never come back exactly the same way, so you can’t actually wear old stuff over again. I wonder why that is?’
“Because the fashion industry is only concerned about making money,” Sara’s mom said. “They have to keep things constantly changing so we’ll always be discontented and want something different. Advertisers don’t want you to feel good about your clothes or your look or yourself—they want to keep you a little off balance, wanting to buy something new and different.”
Sara glanced to herself in the mirror, holding the bell-bottom jeans against herself as if trying them on. “You make it sound as if they’re out to get us!”
“Well, out to get your money, anyway. I mean, there’s nothing wrong with being in style—as you can see, it was very important to me at one time!” her mom admitted. “But it helps to remember that what’s cool to you and your friends today will look just as outdated as these jeans in a few years. What matters are the things that don’t change—the qualities inside.” She came and stood next to Sara, putting her arm around her daughter, “Who do you see in the mirror? I hope you see a child of God, someone precious and loved and valuable—no matter what style she’s wearing.”
- Why do people worry so much about fashion and how they look to other people?
- What does fashion mean to you?
- How can fashion be a way to district you from the way God wants you to feel as His child?
- Is there a difference between “fashion” and “style”? Explain.
- Do you need to have the latest and greatest clothes and hair to be accepted by our heavenly Father? Explain.
“If you decide for God, living a life of God worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more in your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance that the clothes you hang on your body” (Matthew 6:25, The Message).
“The hillsides and the fields were bright with flowers, and, pointing to them in the dewy freshness of the morning, Jesus said, ‘Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow.’ The graceful forms and delicate hues of the plants and flowers may be copied by human skill, but what touch can impart life to even one flower or blade of grass? Every wayside blossom owes its being to the same power that set the starry worlds on high. Through all created things thrills one pulse of life from the great heart of God. The flowers of the field are clothed by His hand in richer robes than have ever graced the forms of earthly kings. And ‘if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?’
“It is He who made the flowers and who gave to the sparrow its song who says, ‘Consider the lilies,’ ‘Behold the birds.’ R.V. In the loveliness of the things of nature you may learn more of the wisdom of God than the schoolmen know. On the lily's petals, God has written a message for you, written in language that your heart can read only as it unlearns the lessons of distrust and selfishness and corroding care. Why has He given you the singing birds and the gentle blossoms, but from the overflowing love of a Father's heart, that would brighten and gladden your path of life? All that was needed for existence would have been yours without the flowers and birds, but God was not content to provide what would suffice for mere existence. He has filled earth and air and sky with glimpses of beauty to tell you of His loving thought for you. The beauty of all created things is but a gleam from the shining of His glory. If He has lavished such infinite skill upon the things of nature, for your happiness and joy, can you doubt that He will give you every needed blessing? (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, pp. 95-97).
HERE’S WHAT I THINK
You don’t get as much clothes-shopping money as your friends do because your family isn’t as well off. So you buy generic-brand jeans and shirts instead of the more expensive name brands. You don’t think anyone will notice or care, and most people don’t. But one of your friends starts making some comments about your “bargain-store” look. Up till this point, you really haven’t cared, but her comments hurt your feelings. What do you say?
Go to http://guidemagazine.org/rtf to post your answers. Your thoughts and feelings may seem clearer to you when you write them down, so we’ve provided space for you here as well. You may also wish to share them with your class later. Be up front and honest.
The passages that follow are taken from Scripture and Ellen G. White. They refer to clothing. As you read these passages, try to figure out why these passages about clothing are mentioned and what you might be able to learn from them. There will be questions at the end.
Genesis 37:3, 4 (The Message)
“Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons because he was the child of his old age. And he made him an elaborately embroidered coat. When his brothers realized that their father loved him more than them, they grew to hate him—they wouldn’t even speak to him.”
“Joseph listened to his father’s instructions, and feared the Lord. He was more obedient to his father’s righteous teachings than any of his brethren. He treasured his instructions, and with integrity of heart, loved to obey God. He was grieved at the wrong conduct of some of his brethren, and meekly entreated them to pursue a righteous course, and leave off their wicked acts. This only embittered them against him. His hatred of sin was such that he could not endure to see his brethren sinning against God. He laid the matter before his father, hoping that his authority might reform them. This exposure of their wrongs enraged his brethren against him. They had observed their father’s strong love for Joseph, and were envious at him. Their envy grew into hatred, and finally to murder” (Spiritual Gifts, vol. 3, p.138).
Exodus 28:40-43 (New International Version)
“‘Make tunics, sashes and headbands for Aaron's sons, to give them dignity and honor. After you put these clothes on your brother Aaron and his sons, anoint and ordain them. Consecrate them so they may serve me as priests.
"‘Make linen undergarments as a covering for the body, reaching from the waist to the thigh. Aaron and his sons must wear them whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting or approach the altar to minister in the Holy Place, so that they will not incur guilt and die.
“‘This is to be a lasting ordinance for Aaron and his descendants.’”
“The robe of the common priest was of white linen, and woven in one piece.
“The garments of the high priest were of costly material and beautiful workmanship, befitting his exalted station” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 351).
Matthew 27:35 (King James Version)
“And they crucified Him and parted his garments, casting lots.”
“To the soldiers who had placed Him upon the cross, His clothing was given. Christ heard the men’s contention as the parted the garments among them. His tunic was woven throughout without seam, and they said, ‘Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be’” (The Desire of Ages, p. 746).
Esther 2:7 (The Message)
“Mordicai had reared his cousin Hadassah, otherwise known as Esther, since she had no father and no mother. The girl had a good figure and a beautiful face. After her parents died Mordicai had adopted her.”
Esther 2:15 (The Message)
“Esther, just as she was, won the admiration of everyone who saw her.”
- Who are the people are mentioned in these readings?
- Do the passages mentioned refer to fashion, clothing, or outward appearance? Explain.
- What effect did Joseph’s coat of many colors have?
- What was the intent of the coat of many colors?
- Were the priestly garments fashionable?
- What was the priestly robe a sign of?
- Who decided what the priests would wear?
- What was special about Jesus’ robe? What could it be compared to?
- How did Esther use her beauty and fashion?
- What was more important in these instances: the garment or the great love God had for these people that it represented?
- When the fashion industry produces the new styles for the season, what is their intent or goal?
- How do they want you to feel if you don’t wear their clothes?
“‘Consider the lilies.’ Every flower that opens its petals to the sunshine obeys the same great laws that guide the stars, and how simple and beautiful and how sweet its life! Through the flowers, God would call our attention to the loveliness of Christlike character. He who has given such beauty to the blossoms desires far more that the soul should be clothed with the beauty of the character of Christ.
“Consider, says Jesus, how the lilies grow; how, springing from the cold, dark earth, or from the mud of the river bed, the plants unfold in loveliness and fragrance. Who would dream of the possibilities of beauty in the rough brown bulb of the lily? But when the life of God, hidden therein, unfolds at His call in the rain and the sunshine, men marvel at the vision of grace and loveliness. Even so will the life of God unfold in every human soul that will yield itself to the ministry of His grace, which, free as the rain and the sunshine, comes with its benediction to all. It is the word of God that creates the flowers, and the same word will produce in you the graces of His Spirit.
“God's law is the law of love. He has surrounded you with beauty to teach you that you are not placed on earth merely to delve for self, to dig and build, to toil and spin, but to make life bright and joyous and beautiful with the love of Christ—like the flowers, to gladden other lives by the ministry of love” (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 97).
“In the tabernacle service, God specified every detail concerning the garments of those who ministered before him. Thus we are taught that the Lord has a preference in regard to the dress of those who serve him. Very specific were the directions given in regard to Aaron’s robes, for his dress was symbolical. So the dress of Christ’s followers should be symbolical. In all things we are to be representatives of him. Good taste should be exercised in the selection of appropriate colors. The hair should be carefully arranged. Our appearance in every respect should be characterized by neatness, modesty, and purity. But the word of God gives us no sanction in making changes in our apparel merely for the sake of fashion, that we may appear like the world. When the desire for display in dress absorbs the mind, vanity is manifested. All this must be put away” (Ellen G. White, vol. 6, pp. 159, 160).
“But our clothing, while modest and simple, should be of good quality, of becoming colors, and suited for service. It should be chosen for durability rather than display. It should provide warmth and proper protection. The wise woman described in the Proverbs ‘is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with double garments.’ Proverbs 31:21” (The Ministry of Healing. p. 288).
SO WHAT?
Styles change. What was hot last month is boring today. Are you a trendsetter—the first in your school to wear the latest fashion—or a trend-follower, always hurrying to catch up with the gang? Or do you march to a different drummer and wear only what you think is cool, no matter what others are choosing?
Why do we follow fashion? People like to fit in and look as if they belong to the group. Being teased or harassed because your clothes are out of style can hurt. But should a Christian care what’s hot on the fashion runways?
As followers of Jesus, we know we belong—to Him. We’re part of God’s family, agents of His kingdom. Our sense of belonging shouldn’t come from a designer label, but from the label of our Designer, pinned to our hearts. We are God’s. God made us. Jesus saved us, the Holy Spirit lives inside us. When you’re tempted to feel that you’re nobody unless you’ve got the latest styles and the hottest labels, remember that you’re always somebody in God’s eyes.
- How can you avoid being a slave to fashion and not be teased about the way you dress—or can you?
- Does our not being a slave to fashion mean that we have to wear “strange” clothing? Explain.
- When someone judges you by the clothing you wear or the way you look is he or she a true friend? Explain.
- What is depending on looks alone demeaning?
- When God accepts us just as we are, what does that do to our value?
You will find a group of words and a list of texts below. Draw a line connecting the correct ones to each other.
- Ephesians 6:13-17
- 1 Samuel 16:7
- Hebrews 13:8
- Jeremiah 31:3
- Everlasting, love, loving-kindness
- Armor, God, salvation, firm, stand
- Lord, man, outward, heart
- Jesus, forever, yesterday, same
1 Corinthians 7:23 (New International Version)
“You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.”
Romans 5:8 (New International Version)
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
1 John 4:9 (New International Version)
“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.”
WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH ME?
Check your closet. What’s your attitude toward fashion? Do you have to have the latest styles? If you do, think about the reasons. Looking good is great, but are you choosing your clothes to help you feel good about yourself? Maybe you need to find a more solid basis for your self-esteem.
Today’s hot looks will change—probably by next spring! But some things never change. God never changes. His love for you, and the value He places on you, won’t change. And the special work he has for you to do within His kingdom doesn’t change. He challenges you to suit up in the uniform of His forces—the “armor of God” that He talks about in Ephesians 6 (NIV).
Of course, this doesn’t mean you can go to school stark naked and tell everyone that you’re actually wearing the “breastplate of righteousness” and the “belt of truth.” You still have to wear clothes. You still have to make choices about style and fashion. But those choices shouldn’t come from a need to be accepted or liked because of the clothes you wear. Instead, your choices should spring from a rock-solid foundation that says, “God loves me. I’m a designer item in His eyes!”
- If Jesus loves us, do we need to compete with the world for attention and love? Explain.
- Does all this talk about fashion mean that you have to wear clothes from days gone by? What are we trying to say?
John 15:19 (New International Version)
‘“If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.’”
Ephesians 1:4 (New International Version)
“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.”
1 John 3:1 (New International Version)
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.”
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Make a list of your top five favorite pieces of clothing. Next to each one, write why you like it. Look back over your answers. Do you like the things you like because of comfort, your own tastes, or what others think? Does this list tell you anything about your values? Now think about why you value yourself as a person. Remember, you’re not just this season’s fad—you’re here for eternity!
TOP FIVE CLOTHING ITEMS WHY I LIKE THEM
WHAT MAKES ME A DESIGNER ITEM?