The Uniform!

Now that I’m working as a trainer at one of our local gyms, I wear basically the same thing every day: black joggers or shorts, a black t-shirt or quarter zip that has “The Fort” logo on the front and the word “COACH on the back, and sneakers. It’s my new uniform. It’s what’s used to identify the trainers throughout the gym and give a sense of professionalism. You might say, our uniform is used to set the trainers apart from the rest of the gym crowd.    

Of course, trainers in the gym are not the only ones who, when they go to work, put on a uniform. Nurses, mechanics, doctors, police, construction workers, retail workers, etc. often have a uniform. At times their uniform is tied to the function of their job. And it is their uniform that always sets them apart and help others identify them. For example, it’s the uniform that helps one identify the police officer standing on the corner from the rest of the crowd walking by or the Home Depot worker from the shoppers. 

You would think I would love being in athletic wear all of the time. After all, in the past when I got home from my work at the church, I would often change into sweats or joggers or shorts and a t-shirt. Now, however, when I come home I want to change into jeans or something other than what I wear most of the day. And, I know that’s the way it is with most people who wear a uniform at their job. When they get home, the first thing they want to do is change out of their uniform and get into “normal clothes”—usually sweats, joggers, shorts, a t-shirt!

Did you know that those of us who are followers of Jesus have been given a uniform? It’s a uniform that is meant to identify us from the rest of the crowd—and to let others know that we are serious about our faith in Jesus. And unlike other uniforms, this one is never switched out for “normal clothes.”

The Apostle Paul wrote, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:12-13 – NIV). Elsewhere he simply wrote, “…clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ….” (Romans 13:14) 

That’s our uniform as followers of Jesus. These are the distinguishing marks that are meant to set us apart from the rest of the crowd. The characteristics of  Jesus is what we put on the day we put our faith in him, what we wear each and every day of our lives (not only when we go to church!), and that which we are to never take off! 

Let’s be sure we’ve got the uniform on as we go about our lives today.  

Have a great day! 

- Pastor Tim Harris