Can Life Really Be Compartmentalized?

There are few books that I've read that I've enjoyed as much as those written by Dr. Paul Brand (1914-2003). Dr. Brand is known for his missionary work in India among those suffering with leprosy, his pioneering medical research, and his brilliant and innovative work as a surgeon. Dr. C. Everett Koop, former U.S. Surgeon General, claims that Dr. Brand's research has been directly responsible for eliminating the need for tens of thousands of amputations — greatly benefiting, particularly, people with Diabetes.

What does this amazing Christian doctor, speaker, author have to do with the subject of clothing? A great deal, perhaps. In his book, "He Satisfies My Soul," Philip Yancey, who co-authored with Dr. Brand and knew him well, said, "If I had to choose one lesson I have learned from Dr. Brand, it would center on the underlying unity of life. So often in this modern world we compartmentalize. Scientists study the material world; priests and preachers study the spiritual world. Dr. Brand brings these worlds together....To him, the world reveals God, and God illuminates the world....For him, life is an act of worship."

And what we worship is reflected in our attitudes about what we wear. As we see again in the news. The Washington Post's lifestyle post read, "Target’s Web site is back after multiple crashes Tuesday and early Wednesday, but frugal fashionistas hoping to find zig-zag print dresses and sweaters from the Missoni for Target line may be out of luck.

"The retail giant launched the new limited collection with the Italian luxury brand Tuesday morning in the midst of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York." And everyone went crazy trying to be the first to get theirs before they were sold out.

Life really is an act of worship. All we do, what we think, say, where we go — and even what we choose to wear is an act of worship. It is revealing our heart and what we believe about the only true and living Holy God. How could we think otherwise. "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men...for ye serve the Lord Christ." Colossians 3:23,24

We only fool ourselves when we compartmentalize our lives and put worship into our few minutes spent on Sunday? Life is an act of worship. Instead of compartmentalizing this and that occasion as a less important one, or with a who cares attitude, or a woohoo! we beat out the crowd to get the latest thing — shouldn't our dress for all of life's occasions — regardless of if our shopping is done at Nordstrom or Target be selected with care — always being gracefully modest ... regardless of the label?