Dr. Nick’s Reflection: Our Sunday Best

There’s something special about putting on our Sunday best. It’s more than just dressing up—it’s an outward reflection of respect, intention, and care. Whether stepping into a place of worship, preparing for an important meeting, or sitting down to take a test, the way we present ourselves can set the tone for our mindset, our confidence, and how we carry ourselves through the day.

Many of us grew up with the tradition of Sunday best—reserved clothing, polished shoes, neatly styled hair—all chosen with care before heading to church. While the world has become more casual, the heart of this practice remains the same. Dressing well isn’t about vanity or impressing others; it’s about showing respect for the moment we’re stepping into. When we take the time to prepare ourselves, it signals that what we are doing matters—that we are fully present, engaged, and honoring the occasion.

This idea extends far beyond church doors. When you dress for success, whether for a big test, a job interview, or an important event, you step into a mindset of readiness and determination. Studies have shown that how we dress influences our performance and confidence. A student who walks into a classroom in clean, put-together clothing often feels more prepared for an exam than if they had just rolled out of bed. A professional who wears attire that reflects their role exudes competence and authority. The way we care for ourselves on the outside can fuel how we feel on the inside.

But looking our best isn’t just about clothing. It’s also about how we present ourselves spiritually and emotionally. Our kindness, our words, and our demeanor can be as polished as our attire. We may put on a suit or a dress, but if we walk into church, work, or school with a bitter heart, a judgmental attitude, or a closed mind, then we are missing the point. Our true “Sunday best” is not just the clothing we wear but the heart we carry.

And yet, how often do we prioritize dressing up for everything except the most important moments? We get dressed up for concerts, parties, celebrations, and special events because we want to look good and feel our best. But when it comes to entering a house of worship—the very place where we stand before God—we often fail to consider what we wear, how we present ourselves, or the reverence of the occasion.

Why do we take the time to put on our best for things that are temporary—an evening out, a dinner party, a wedding—but neglect to do so when stepping into the presence of our Creator? The way we prepare ourselves to enter a house of worship says a lot about the respect we have for the sacredness of the moment. Just as we wouldn’t show up to an important event in wrinkled, unkempt clothes, why would we do so when approaching the Lord? This isn’t about luxury or expensive clothing—it's about care, thoughtfulness, and the intention behind what we wear. It’s about acknowledging that when we enter a church, we are stepping onto holy ground.

That doesn’t mean we need to be in designer clothes or extravagant outfits. God does not require wealth or lavish garments—He asks for a heart that is prepared. Our “Sunday best” isn’t just about the clothes we wear, but the mindset we carry. It is about walking into a place of worship with respect, focus, and a heart ready to receive. If we can show up for worldly things with effort, we should do the same—if not more—when stepping into God’s house.

At the same time, there is a danger in judging others by appearance alone. God is not impressed by expensive clothing, nor does He turn away those who come as they are. Some may not have the means to dress in fine clothes, yet they bring the purest heart of worship. Others may step into a test, an interview, or a church service wearing whatever they have, yet they radiate respect and readiness from within. Dressing our best should never be about making others feel lesser—it should be about honoring the space we are stepping into.

The way we care for ourselves radiates. It’s a reflection of our discipline, our self-respect, and how we choose to show up in the world. Whether it’s wearing our Sunday best in church, dressing sharp for an important day, or simply carrying ourselves with grace and confidence, how we present ourselves tells the world, “This moment matters. I am ready. I respect this opportunity.”

So today, as you prepare for the week ahead, take a moment to reflect on what your best looks like—not just in appearance but in spirit. Because when we bring **our best—inside and out—we shine, we uplift, and we honor the spaces we enter.

—Dr. Nick