I don’t often listen to Woman’s Hour on Radio 4 but dawdling over my coffee I caught an item on personal grooming. How are we going to keep up our appearance during these days of lockdown? Many will protest that we have more to worry about but hair is becoming a particular problem. I have heard of some attempts at home barbering that have had less than successful outcomes. My son the police officer who usually keeps his hair very short is wondering how to cope.
As with most things help is at hand. Experts like Taylor Ferguson are being called upon for guidance. He had a big article in the Herald recently which I’m sure many will find helpful. Not that I’m too worried at present. I am not quite the ‘slap head’ I was in the middle of January but I’m still a long way from worrying about bad hair days.
Jesus once spoke about hair. He was preparing his disciples for mission. They were to go to various towns to preach the ‘message’, to heal the sick and drive out evil spirits. They would inevitably come up against opposition but Jesus encouraged them not to fear those who can ‘kill the body but cannot kill the soul.‘ He said:
‘Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.’ (Matthew 10: 29-31)
These are great truths about our Heavenly Father. He is in control. His care surrounds His people. He knows them all intimately to the extent that their ‘very hairs’ are counted, even if the count is nil! If we remember this then every day is a good hair day!
I don’t believe this means that we are proof against challenges or even tragedies but we can always be sure that whatever our experiences our souls are safe with God. It is the strength of our inner life which is vital and that depends on the depth of our relationship with Christ. This enables us to face these uncertain days in which we are living with courage and hope. That relationship is kept strong as we go to that place where we learn about Christ and experience His presence. Where else but His Word?
The night before he died Jesus prayed to His Father for His disciples:
‘Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.’ (John 17: 17)
Jesus is praying that His friends will be distinctive in the world, kept strong in order to serve as He has served. And how will this be achieved? Through the truth revealed in God’s Word. Jesus saw the Word as being powerful. It would shape the lives of His friends from within so that they would be His faithful witnesses in a world that would stretch them to the limit. I feel I need to take this more seriously and one good thing about this time has been the opportunity to spend more time absorbing God’s truth through His Word.
We need to take care of ourselves and it’s good to hear of people concerned to keep themselves fresh and fit. But we need to take Paul’s advice to a young friend to our hearts:
‘Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.’ (1 Timothy 4: 7-8)
