t-shirt theology

To those of us who have chosen to rebel against suits, ties, and shirts with collars, we have found solace in t-shirts. The very same clothing item we used to wear under our collared shirts, white of course, at least at first, has now become a daily item for most of us. When God called me into ministry, and I got rid of all my suits and ties, I kept one shirt with a collar, which in almost five years have never found the right scenario to wear it. Church-no. Weddings-uh uh. Funerals, black t-shirt is fine, under leather, of course. And when so many feel the need-pressured, to dress up, I stay comfortable, like many of my friends in the proper t-shirt. I marvel at those who try to be cool via a trend, but trendy will never be confused with cool, just under a delusion. But we can tell... So I have a wardrobe of t-shirts. Some from our various travels, some from cool places we have eaten. Some represent motorcycles, and some have the vintage look, mainly because they are. Like their owner. Not old school ,just school. Still not sure at what age my t-shirt becomes vintage, but somehow we know. So when I heard the Hollister Rally is back on for 2013, I looked through my collection of Hollister Rally shirts, some never having been worn. And looked forward to this years, and hopefully next. But I also came across some shirts I had forgotten about, and some good rides, and memories came from them. But just as there are my favorites, some have become worn out from wear. And at some point will get elected to the T-shirt Hall of Fame, aka the garage. For old t-shirts make great polishing cloths. Cotton absorbs oil and brake fluid. And unlike the trendy nitrocellulose polishing rags, they don’t melt when rubbed against a hot exhaust header, or when you touch a warm head. Nope, t-shirts, the good old cotton ones go one until they are shredded. And it is with regret that we finally have to throw our old friend away. Finally worn out, not functional, but the memories remain.

Now my wife also uses old t-shirts for cleaning and dusting. What is a swifter but old t-shirt material? So why buy one when an old t-shirt will do? But what about using the wrong t-shirt? In the pecking order of t-shirts, some have hallowed status, as they would never go into the rag pile. Torn, shredded, stained, and unwearable, I’ll let you know if it is or isn’t, some just go from closet to drawer, saved but forgotten about, until looking for something else misplaced, and I come upon them, and the cycle of memories start again. But some still get used as rags, and even then some are for oil, some for washing, some for polishing. A true caste system of cotton-and you thought it was just a shirt. Please don’t ever call them rags.

Now if you have ever spent time around cars, shop rags are a good thing to have. But never have the absorbancy to clean up when the oil runs out of the drain plug hole, left empty when you forgot to replace it before you filled the crankcase. They don’t clean up brake fluid very well, and have no absorbancy like a t-shirt. Once again cotton is king. And although they are reusable, when mixed in with ones from machine shops when cleaned, can pick up metal shavings too small for the eye to see, but not too small to scratch the paint. And so again t-shirts to the rescue. And the tale goes on...

Now the Bible has a thing or two to say about filthy rags. Even in this pre-petroleum era, rags were used. I am not sure about t-shirts though, have never seen a Jesus shirt from then, although I have some I have bought here myself.
But the scriptures tell us that our righteousness is as filthy rags. And that they are like our righteousness, they fade away, when overcome by our iniquities. But just as a rag’s purpose is to clean up a mess, when we are done with them we dispose of them, environmentally correct of course, right? But what of our righteousness? It depends on where your source of righteousness comes from. If from yourself, bragging on your good deeds, and bringing praise upon yourself, you have some dirty rags. But if you are walking with God, with His righteousness shining through you, then it is His righteousness you possess. And like your favorite old shirt, you want to cling to it, and wear it whenever possible. Until it is worn out, and goes from closet to drawer, to garage, to pile, to eventually the trash, when it is of no use anymore. Sadly many live their lives like that, starting out strong in the Lord, and ending up in the trash heap. No one ever sets out to fail, but whenever you trust your own righteousness, you are headed that way. How sad it is to see an old friend, once walking with God, but having fallen away. Drifting like leaves in the wind, a soiled t-shirt of a life. Not putting God first, but seeking a righteousness based on self, as if anything outside of Jesus Christ could ever be labeled righteousness. Filthy rags can either become filthy form being used, or being misused. That decision is yours. And like I have heard biker’s say about their colors, “if it isn’t in your heart, don’t wear it on our back.” Jesus wears stripes on His back He took for us, do we wear Him on our hearts?

It is our sin that separates us from God, and His righteousness. No t-shirt, club, colors, church, or religion can restore that. Only Jesus is the way to God, the stepping stone. He became the dirty t-shirt that was once new, and then worn out for our sins. He was thrown into the trash, only to rise again-sin and death couldn’t hold Him. So I ask, what are you holding onto? Is it time to change shirts, to get some new rags? If they are dirty due to sin, replace them now. If from doing God’s will, save them, but keep the clean ones handy,too. We never know when the chance to fall into sin will attack us, so like your mother told you, wear clean underwear. Wear a clean heart with Jesus, but don’t hide it under your outer clothes. Wear Him where He can be seen. Maybe someone will ask where you got that cool shirt? And it doesn’t have to be a religious shirt either. Remember trendy will never be cool, but Jesus always will be.

It is Valentine’s Day today, and my wife has a heart shirt on. The shirt she bought to wear during my open heart surgery. I don’t ever see that one becoming a filthy rag, or being used as a dust cloth. No car waxing for it, for it represents something that reminds her of Jesus. For us it is a sign to remind her of my new aorta, of Jesus changing our lives. Of saving mine against all odds. And it gives her a chance to share a testimony of His righteousness. A shirt that will never become like a filthy rag. Not all rags end up dirty. Used yes, but not dirty. Stay clean with Jesus, be cleansed in His blood. Be reminded of His righteousness, not your own. He saved us from the rag bin, the least we can do is wear a clean shirt to remind others.

love with compassion,

Mike

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