Having worn several hats in my years, I have observations about uniforms.

Uniforms can be uncomfortable.  Sometimes, our actual outfits are misfit or itchy.  In other ways, metaphorical costumes may not suit.  David said he could not wear the king’s armor for the fight of his life, and each will perform best in comfortable clothes.  We can be forced into misshapen versions of ourselves by unfortunate circumstance or choice.   

The uniform denotes the team.  The wearer is part of a group.  It may be a workplace, athletic or fraternal organization, but donning a uniform means that a person has chosen to be part of a conglomerate.  Identification undergirds the idea of uniformity.  Many fail to understand the importance of teamwork in life.

Individuality is a fine thing, but it is not the only thing.  I am intrigued at the variety of God’s creation.  All people are a little different and a lot the same.  It is not God’s plan for us to be copies, but there are parameters to the human experience and operation.  Within the sea of humanity, people long for belonging and find meaning within the groups with which they identify.

A uniform is just that.  An outfit designed to be the same for each wearer.  If the individual is set apart, it will be other than by dress.  The get-up is an equalizer.  It is important for us to realize that our unique skills can be best exercised in the group context.  There should be some areas in life in which we are content to blend in with others.

There are those who customize uniforms in opposition to team moral.  You know the kind.  The ones who sing different words to practiced songs to stand out.  Those who always want to be in the spotlight.  It makes the group mad, people!  To have someone always trying to take center stage.  Successful attempts require group effort, and a particular take is not taken by all.

Uniforms are assumed to declare loyalty.  There have been instances of graft and betrayal of teammates, but it is not the normal thing.  Folks figure that you will act in the best interests of the group you represent.  A friend once told me, “My team is number one.  I don’t care if we lose every game.  We’re number one because it’s our team.”

While not always true, we mostly choose our alliances.  We wear the uniform knowing or not by virtue of the groups with which we associate.  While our attire may be thought to be choice, we conform to the gaggle of our peers.  It’s hard to go against the group or in a different direction.

Many years ago, my wife was on an elevator with our oldest son when a man sporting a shirt emblazoned with a profanity stepped aboard.  At the time, our son was approximately eye-level with the offensive message, and my wife diverted his attention from the careless individual.  Later, she said to our oldest, “That man wears those clothes to identify with a certain group, and everything we wear identifies us with a group, too.”  I married her.

Array indicates adherence.  You and I are identified by our allegiances.  It is important that we find ourselves in league with others involved in honorable service.  And don’t be ashamed of your contingent.  The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.   

Finding a place of comfort, creativity and capacity is no small task, but it is important to belong somewhere.

Sterl