Starting early in my teens I became very conscious of my hygiene and overall appearance. It wasn't until my early 30's that I discovered the gruesome fate that most all women will eventually uncover...those little coarse black chin hairs. It is usually contributed to normal hormonal changes. The reasoning behind the vexation however, is irrelevant if you find the little nuisance on your own face. Since I first noticed it, I have been pretty diligent in smoothing, searching out and tweezing the weed-like anomalies. Today as I got in the car to head to church, I sat in the passenger seat of my car with the morning light streaming warmth into the frost laden vehicle. I glanced in the mirror and was set aback in horror as I saw the light revealing a lengthy, black hair streaming from my perfectly powdered chin. I was so upset! I mean, I go over my face so carefully. I daily give my chin area thorough examination trying to be sure that I am maintaining the velveteen complexion of my youth. That stiff black hair was a reminder of my sin. As hard as I may try to conceal, groom, or disguise my sin, the Light will reveal it. Numbers 32:23 reminds us to "be sure your sin will find you out". 1Corinthians 4 points out that the Lord will bring light to things hidden in the darkness. My sin is revealed for all to see. More than what concerns man, it concerns God Himself. In Genesis He is referred to as El Roi (the God Who Sees). There is no where we can go to hide from the Lord. It was really a good refresher for me today. Last night I did not sleep well at all. Earlier in the evening I had seen a "long lost" family member on Facebook and it brought back emotions of bitterness and anger. I was forced to deal with my sin...ALL NIGHT LONG. I tossed and turned! I moaned and groaned! I ached and pained! The whole time trying to think of a way to let "so-and-so" know just how wrong they are. I wanted to let them know how bad they were and how many lives they touched with their evil ways. My heart was so burdened with feelings of contempt that the Holy Spirit had no choice but to draw my ugliness into the light. He had to show me the proverbial hair on my face and hand me the tweezers to quickly pluck it from my heart. He showed me that He is El Roi and sees the heart of that person. He sees what lies beneath and that "there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed or hidden that will not be made known". (Matt 10:26 NASB) It was not my place to reveal to all this person's friends what God knows in secret. My imperfect aesthetic reminder this morning allowed me to go into my Father's house to worship and pray for that person in love. No matter what, I love that person and will lift them up in prayer that God will draw her close to Himself. So from now on, not only will I carry a set of tweezers to the van, I will let it be a reminder to ask God to reveal my sin to me so I can serve Him with a pure and faithful heart.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
That Little Black Hair
Starting early in my teens I became very conscious of my hygiene and overall appearance. It wasn't until my early 30's that I discovered the gruesome fate that most all women will eventually uncover...those little coarse black chin hairs. It is usually contributed to normal hormonal changes. The reasoning behind the vexation however, is irrelevant if you find the little nuisance on your own face. Since I first noticed it, I have been pretty diligent in smoothing, searching out and tweezing the weed-like anomalies. Today as I got in the car to head to church, I sat in the passenger seat of my car with the morning light streaming warmth into the frost laden vehicle. I glanced in the mirror and was set aback in horror as I saw the light revealing a lengthy, black hair streaming from my perfectly powdered chin. I was so upset! I mean, I go over my face so carefully. I daily give my chin area thorough examination trying to be sure that I am maintaining the velveteen complexion of my youth. That stiff black hair was a reminder of my sin. As hard as I may try to conceal, groom, or disguise my sin, the Light will reveal it. Numbers 32:23 reminds us to "be sure your sin will find you out". 1Corinthians 4 points out that the Lord will bring light to things hidden in the darkness. My sin is revealed for all to see. More than what concerns man, it concerns God Himself. In Genesis He is referred to as El Roi (the God Who Sees). There is no where we can go to hide from the Lord. It was really a good refresher for me today. Last night I did not sleep well at all. Earlier in the evening I had seen a "long lost" family member on Facebook and it brought back emotions of bitterness and anger. I was forced to deal with my sin...ALL NIGHT LONG. I tossed and turned! I moaned and groaned! I ached and pained! The whole time trying to think of a way to let "so-and-so" know just how wrong they are. I wanted to let them know how bad they were and how many lives they touched with their evil ways. My heart was so burdened with feelings of contempt that the Holy Spirit had no choice but to draw my ugliness into the light. He had to show me the proverbial hair on my face and hand me the tweezers to quickly pluck it from my heart. He showed me that He is El Roi and sees the heart of that person. He sees what lies beneath and that "there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed or hidden that will not be made known". (Matt 10:26 NASB) It was not my place to reveal to all this person's friends what God knows in secret. My imperfect aesthetic reminder this morning allowed me to go into my Father's house to worship and pray for that person in love. No matter what, I love that person and will lift them up in prayer that God will draw her close to Himself. So from now on, not only will I carry a set of tweezers to the van, I will let it be a reminder to ask God to reveal my sin to me so I can serve Him with a pure and faithful heart.
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