Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4 (NIV)
One of the things that mid life so graciously gave me is facial hair. Not the soft peach fuzz of childhood, but harsh course black hairs worthy of a seaman. Once my grandmother said to me in a very sincere voice, “Honey, don’t ever let them talk you into shaving.” I shuddered at her words. Now, I know what she meant. While I have not yet grown a beard, I am ever vigilant. I keep tweezers in handy places, my purse, my car, and the desk drawer at work, all to be ready when an insolent hair will suddenly spring forth. That is the way they work. One minute you have the skin of your youth and the next, a long dark string protrudes from your cheek. I made the ten hour drive to Blairsville alone and left with my husband’s warnings ringing in my ears, pay attention to the road, watch for things happening around you, pull off if you get sleepy, and don’t wait until your tank is almost empty to fill it up. However, I was not on the Interstate for five minutes when I rubbed my hand along my chin and felt a renegade hair. Where did it come from? How could I drive all the way to Blairsville with it sticking out like that? Must get rid of that offense! So, I reached into the glove box to get a pair of tweezers and for thirty minutes, instead of paying attention to the road, instead of watching cars around me, I pursued that hair. While I didn’t look into the mirror to see it because it was under my chin in a place I could not spot even if I could focus on the mirror, at times, I drove with my knees as both hands felt and prodded and manipulated that hair within the grip of the tweezers. When at last I had plucked it from my skin, I felt a great sense of relief. Then, guilt. I hurdled seventy miles an hour down the Interstate and completely lost my focus because of a single hair. How often do I do that in other areas of my life? Particularly in my relationships with others, I am myopic. How often have I thought, “I will never speak to them again, they have hurt me so badly? I can’t go back to that church when the minister offended me so. I won’t give to that organization again; they did not even thank me.” I refuse to let go when Christ is calling me to look at Him. Instead, I keep my eyes on the people or circumstances around me. Even when we are convinced that we cannot, these verses tell us that keeping our eyes on Christ and His work is a choice. Quit looking at the miniscule and look for the broader view. God is at work. Will you join Him or sit staring at the mirror tweezers in hand picking at your’s and other’s flaws?
I know just what you mean. I tend to not forget when I’ve been hurt -I don’t hold a grudge or anything, but I vow not to get it twice from the same place.
I am keeping an eye on my facial hairs. My sister is darker than I, and she has to get a mustache and chin hairs removed/waxed. So far, I don’t see it on me, but I’m watching. I’m pretty discouraged with all the other age related changes. My mother, who is 79, still looks beautiful – but she has stayed in shape and not gained weight. That must make a big differece.
Great example for the text. It makes a nice mini sermon.
Stopping by from Dr. John’s blog – I love this post. It’s a great analogy and perspective.
I have PCOS and hairs in the wrong places have plagued me since my 20’s. Lately, I don’t care so much anymore. I’m so loved and so blessed.
Have a wonderful Easter.