I snapped the last button on the shirt and placed the plastic white piece into the collar. "There", I thought. Now at least I would look like a professional. I was nervous enough as it was, going over the lines in my mind. I was mentally and spiritually preparing to conduct my first wedding ceremony. Now standing before a mirror at the image that reflected I was humbled. I was wearing a black fitted shirt and Reverend's collar under my black suit. It seemed amazing to me to think back to the person I used to be not too long ago. Things were very different now and suddenly it seemed much more real in this attire.
I took a deep breath and one last glance at the mirror, shaking my head in disbelief, I head out the door. Within the time it took me to start the car and drive down the block to the store I frequent, I had forgotten how I was dressed. I walked in the door with my usual hellos. The workers there that know me by name, stopped what they were doing, looked at me with open mouth until I got my drink and headed to the register. "So, uh, are you like a priest or a minister or something"? "Yes, I am a minister", I answered. "Oh, they said", I didn't know. I shrugged it off and head out the door just as a gentleman was entering. He held the door as I exited the store and I said, "Thank you", expecting some unwelcoming comment but instead he bowed his head to me and said "Reverend".
I finally arrive at the wedding and begin to greet those entering the hall. It is during this moment that I realize the power of this collar. People became almost awkward in their greetings. Some bowed their heads to me and many refused to make eye contact. There was a reverent non-verbal communication that showed some deeper level of conviction. Others responded much differently. A woman came threw her arms around me and cried on my shoulder, asking me to pray for her. Another guest whose name I didn't know, felt the need to confess how long it has been since she had attended church, and even provided a solid reason for her absenteeism.
This treatment was not what I expected, I was still me. I was just me in a collar. But I realized it was what I represented, the one whose name I wore around that collar. I was suddenly aware that every action, word, gesture, facial expression told those around me what God felt about them. That night while I wore my collar, I felt like the person God had called me to be...the voice in the wilderness, the light in the darkness, I was a minister and I felt compelled to maintain His good name by my actions. With the collar on, I found the boldness that I had so longed for to do the work that He had placed before me.
As I drove home that night, that gentle voice of the Holy Spirit brought a deep conviction to my own heart. "Why did the collar make such a difference"? After all, I will be back home in a few minutes and the collar was coming off...who will I be then? I began to think about how I didn't want to go back to the person I was when the collar was off. I wanted to be bold, I wanted others to know who I represent everywhere that I go. I never wanted to feel the conviction again of having someone shocked when they find out I am a minister. All of the missed opportunities I had to share the gospel. All of the times I allowed my actions, words, gestures or facial expressions to be seen by those who are watching. I shouldn't need a collar to remind me of who I am supposed to be...the Bible says we are clothed with power form on high....it was time for me to start walking in it...collar off!
