When Uniforms Aren’t
I recently heard a former member of a branch of our armed forces mention almost in passing what happens to a person very early in that experience. Specifically, he was talking about the effort to make everybody look and act alike as much as possible. Everything, including “hairstyles” and “wardrobes,” has that purpose. Individuality is discouraged as the goal of uniformity is pursued. The idea seems to be to develop unity and cohesiveness as troops defend our nation and/or attack those whose goal it is to do us harm.
The stakes are not nearly as high with regard to athletic teams. Wins and losses are not even close to being in the same category as life and death (even if some fans seem to think that they are). It is interesting, though, that the term “uniform” is used to describe what those who participate in team sports wear.
But they are not! Especially with regard to sports teams, uniforms are not uniform.
Some athletes seem to go to great lengths to keep from looking like the other members of their teams. If they can’t find some way to change the appearance of the uniforms themselves, they will try to find a hairstyle, a distinctive shoe style, some unique way to wear the uniform, tattoos, jewelry…almost anything to stand out from the rest of the team. I guess that the numbers and often the players’ names on the jerseys aren’t effective ways to do that any longer.
Neither the military nor those connected with athletic teams can accomplish total uniformity. The truth is that each of us is unique. Uniforms will never cover up our uniqueness.
Our individuality does not come to an end if and when we become a Christian. However, this is not intended to enable us to stand out from the crowd and/or to make a name for ourselves.
Instead (and I know that I’m mixing metaphors here), passages of scripture like Romans 12:3-8 and 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 speak of each unique part of the body of Christ working together in unity and harmony to bring glory to God and to accomplish His will. It is not about us. It never should be. It is always to be about Him.
Why would anybody want to make himself/herself more recognizable from the army of God than all of the others? Wouldn’t that make that person an easier target for our “…adversary/enemy the devil…” (1 Peter 5:8)?
I hope that you will take the time to read the discussion about and description of the armor of God found in Ephesians 6:13ff. If you do, you will notice that the passage does not describe a different uniform for each person, but rather the same uniform for each individual.
What is increasingly becoming obsolete in some circles is increasingly needed in the battle for our souls. We cannot afford to lose that war.
AUTHOR: Jim Faughn
