A Marching Band of Believers

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Colossians 3:5-14

In high school I was a member of the marching band, and after summer band camp we were all issued identical uniforms. The uniforms came with standard care instructions and also instructions on how to conduct ourselves when wearing them. The expectations were that we would be at our very best behavior when wearing the uniform. The uniforms identified us as a group, as a body of believers in John Philip Sousa, and most importantly, representatives of our school. When we donned our uniforms we were expected to leave behind the shenanigans that often accompany groups of teenagers and choose to behave in ways that would bring honor to our school’s name. When all dressed in the uniform we were not easily identifiable as individuals, but as a group it was clear from even a distance which school we belonged to.

When we are made new in Christ we are handed identical uniforms as well, and they come with a set of instructions on how to conduct ourselves when wearing them. 

We are instructed to “put to death” whatever shenanigans plagued our lives pre-Christ. Sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, idolatry, anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language, lies, division...it all has to go. We can’t represent our Father and his community dressed like that! We leave the destruction behind, put on the uniform custom made for us, and choose to behave in ways that would bring honor to our Father’s name. 

Our new uniforms are made of the same materials--stitched with threads which are all behaviors rather than feelings (so fleeting those feelings!), and all identical to our fellow Christian’s. When the uniforms are on, we are less recognizable as individuals, but as a group it’s clear to Whom we belong. How good and perfect it is when brothers and sisters in Christ are all wearing their uniforms and blessing those around them with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience!

Just as a marching band approaching in uniformed formation is the signal for something exciting--half time! A parade! --Christians in uniformed formation should be a signal that something good is about to happen, too. Chatham Church’s mission statement sums it up nicely: Connecting people to God and to each other. Imagine us all lined up in matching uniforms (I’m picturing our Chatham Serves t-shirts!), walking in step with each other, ready to go forth into Chatham County and do good in His name. Huzzah!

God, thank you for our wonderfully diverse body of believers! Help us as we daily put on the uniform you’ve made just for us. Continue to establish and deepen the unity with which You’ve blessed our congregation, so that we may continue to serve our community. Amen.

3 Comments

I agree with Karen, Jessica!
This analogy is going to stick with me.
I, too, was in marching band. If we could write more than 400 words it would be fun to play with the way different instruments contribute to produce great music. (And that it takes practice to get there.)
Thanks, Jessica. (And for yesterday’s too!)
Thanks so much for your kind words, Karen. I’m glad the marching band analogy was helpful!
You have such a gift for writing. I am an avid reader of mysteries and my favorite authors are gifted writers. This devotion is excellent! Your description of uniforms forvsa group really helps me to see us Jesus followers much better.

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