Dress to Impress!

We all have a purpose, that thing we were put here for. At times I’ve thought my purpose was something to do. I’ve grown to realize purpose is actually about people, and we are all called to people-purpose. Paul was a famous Christian who made it his life’s work to travel all over telling people about how Jesus had lived and died for them. In a letter to the Romans he makes this key statement:

“…Mypurposeis that the Gentilesmay be an acceptable offering, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:16 CSB

Paul’s purpose wasn’t preaching,it was the people he preached to. Everything he did was to help the Gentile people know about God’s love for them, and anyone who came to believe in God as a result of Paul’s work was an offering, a gift to God by the Holy Spirit that was at work in Paul. Friends, the Holy Spirit wants to be at work in us and through us too, so that we can reach our Gentiles.

Whether we admit it or not, we all make decisions and judgements about others based on how they look. Our outward appearance has the ability to attract people to us and gives them instant information about who we are and what we do. Don’t worry;I can assure you I am not suggesting we let everyone around us decide how we should dress. What Paul’s heart to reach the Gentile people caused me to consider is how we can make sure our outward appearance is supporting the inner desires of our beautiful God-given hearts.

How to dress to impress your Gentiles:

1. Know your people-purpose. Know what attracts your people and what doesn’t. Two summers ago, I served in a camp for inner-city youth. The dress code required long shorts, and prohibited the running shorts I usually wear. I was a little baffled by this, but took myself to the store and bought what I felt were super long shorts. When I got to camp and saw how the kids dressed, I immediately understood how I would have stood out had I dressed in my typical attire. Who are your people and how can your appearance help you to be among them?

2. Wear things that help you feel pretty. While we may need to adjust our fashion choices to be most effective in our purpose, we should never feel pressured to wear something that makes us feel like a sack of potatoes. When we feel pretty in what we put on, we are more able to confidently be the beautiful women that God created.

3. Make sure your unique identity and purpose is on display. I had a great-aunt that loved to accessorize. It was always fun to see her coordinated purses, jewelry, and shoes, and how her style matched her fun-loving spirit. Seasons of life tend to evolve and transform our style, but we should never let life take away our ability to display who we are. It’s what piques people’s curiosity and draws people to us. It’s one of the most fun things about being a girl! Letting our unique identity show may just bring us the opportunity to reach that one person no one else can.

There is a special something each of us has. That something is God’s gift to the benefactors of our purpose. If we find a way to allow fashion to be a vessel that carries our individual gifts to greater heights, we will tap into one of the ultimate, collective, and unique powers of womankind.

Personal reflection (Reflective Observation Questions 1-2:

1. What impression does your appearance give to others?

2. Who are your Gentiles? What are their qualities and priorities in general? What is their general fashion/dress?

3. What is one thing that is unique about how you dress? Does it represent your purpose and identity? Why or why not?

Goal setting and sharing:
List 3 goals that will allow your “look” to better serve your purpose:

Gena Anderson

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CREATED WOMAN JUNE LINE UP: FASHION

We believe that as Ambassadors of Christ, it’s okay to show up well! We believe our identity and self-worth comes through Christ and as we embrace our unique personality and quirks He has given us, our fashion becomes an outward expression of who we are created to be. Plus, fashion is a whole lot of fun!