The uniform

So I saw Melbourne today - through the window of a car as I was driven to my next hotel room. Although I am still about 19km from the city itself. Tomorrow at 7.15am I cross the city on a 2 hour drive to teach again a group of Salvation Army Offficers. "Melbourne through a car window" - the possible title for a very boring travel guide.

Last night I met a senior Salvation Army Major. The only one at the conference with a uniform on (until we held our final session today when several officers appeared dressed to retrun to the real world!).

I've struggled with the whole uniform thing. It seems so exclusive, so 'we are different', it seems a possible significant barrier between them and the people they/we want to reach with the love of Jesus.

Yet last night I learned something very interesting.
The Major walks most days to work (at least parking lot to office). Seemingly most days as he walks to work with his uniform on someone, a stranger, a fellow commuter, a member of the general public will stop him and say "thank you for what you do."Amazing.

Its a badge
A badge in Australia that carries credibility.
A worthy badge.

Of course I'm not advocating we all get a dark blue, rather old fashioned looking, average cut, shapeless uniform.

We have a uniform that we just need to begin to wear - the uniform of love.
Imagine if Christians took on that uniform.
Imagine if we served, washed feet, forgave, showed grace, unconditionally loved the way jesus asks us to.
Imagine if we began to wear the 'Follower of Jesus' uniform.

That one is not a barrier, nor shapeless, nor old fashioned looking.
That one has real style and fits perfectly.