FASHION HOUSE OR HOUSE OF GOD?

FASHION HOUSE OR HOUSE OF GOD?
(Written By FAKOYEJO OLALEKAN)
Fashion has stylishly and subtly warm it way into every facet of life. Everyone want to impress not just themselves, but also the eyes that lust after eye-popping, gorgeous outfit that compliment a beautiful look.


Everyone want to out-do or outlook themselves. Some people can't wait to be complimented, in fact, they ask for your opinion, not because they don't already know how gorgeous they look, not because they haven't gone back and forth in front of a mirror; just like the witch in the Snow White and The Huntsman, they have been told several times by their mirror that they are the most fierce and beautiful of all. They ask of your opinion just to be sure you notice the work of God.


But this fashion and beauty mindset that started on the runway years ago has made it to the doorstep of our churches today.
It no more just the models that the cameras flash for. Models are now in competition with the congregations of modern day church. They both now contest for the most beautiful, sexiest and stylish award. Now both could be mistaken for each other.


On one Sunday morning, I was at the balcony stirring at people passing by, while at the same time thinking about a concrete reason why I choose not to attend service today.
While I was battling with my thoughts, I saw
crowd troop out of a nearby church close to my place. what strike me isn't that youth my age went to church while I was at home, but their outfit, specially one lady that dressed like a 1999 magician with a touch of red.


Seeing your mate go to church is enough motivation and inspiration for one to pick up his or her bible and head for church, but their style of dressing which depict ómò ólòwò (child of a rich parent) is enough to discourage the poor ones from attending service, due to inferiority complex. Trust me, that plays a big role in the attendance of churches today; take it or leave it, it is the plain truth.


Nowadays, you attend some churches and the outfit of their congregation will leave you to wonder if you are in a Fashion House or a Church!
I know a friend who only attend Christ Embassy just because of the ladies, nothing more.


There are some churches less privilege people are afraid to attend, not because they will be flogged, but because of how they will be looked at and addressed.

Some Churches even have seat for specified people that are not even the Pastors. They are the best dressed and looks. The areas where camera will cover are reserved for them. While others can take the back seat.
While some will check your outfit right from the gate. You wear tartared dress, you are viewed like someone who missed his or her way.


Some churches are actually the ones who have missed their way. The poor ones or less privilege are now less important. Their presence is not felt, and their absence is not missed in today's church.
But when the rich is yet to get to church as at 10:30 am for service, mentally, the Pastors are already picturing how many people will follow them to visit the person.
Some Pastors will hide behind the fact that it impossible to know who didn't come to church, but they know if that high flying agbada man didn't come for service because his car isn't at his regular parking space.


A friend of mine once told me, “The Pastor asked me why I dressed like this. Asking if I don't have a better dress at home".
Inferiority complex has done a whole lot of damage to many individuals today, to the extent that if their best dress is dirty on Sunday, then no church. This has happened to many of us, in fact everyone before.

This remind me of my first day at Shoprite. Before we left home for Shoprite, I was told to put on my best dress and shoe, this provoked me to ask “Are we going to party or buy foodstuff?". When we got there, I realized why I was told to dress like I was performing at a show.
I was forced to ask myself, is today Christmas, Easter or is something special happening today, because the way the customers dressed, today must be Christmas or probably a Fashion show is holding there.


But what amazed me was that many people that went into Shoprite, most of them went there to take pictures, because few people came out with nylon. Truth is, if all the people that went into shoprite bought something, Shoprite will never count any loss.

That tells the story of what's happening in our Churches today, many people go in, but few leave with the word of God.

(Written By FAKOYEJO OLALEKAN)