I remember a friend of mine joking with a female friend about her hair. He told her that “D” was looking for her. She responded “D”? He said yes “D”, “D” hairdresser; you need to tighten up your wig. Now, being married 19 years to a wonder woman has given me enough insight not to joke about women’s’ hair. Women are serious about their hair and it has become a multi-billion dollar industry. A 2010 survey said, “In spite of its highly fragmented nature, the U.S. hair-care industry produces approximately $19 billion in annual revenue. There are approximately 70,000 hair-care facilities in the U.S.–65,000 beauty salons and 5,000 barber shops”. Does the Bible speak about women’s hair? It sure does. In the KJV the word says,
But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering – 1 Corinthians 11:15
Now the meaning of this is a big debate. Many folks believe that a woman needs to have long hair, but this is not what the point is. The point is positional authority and order. My point is the effort in which our sisters work on having their hair look good. Is there a perfect hair do? No! Does that prevent our ladies from taking the time to fix their hair? No! So what about our living for the Lord?
Paul says,
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained. – Philippians 3:12-16
“Only let us live up to what we have already attained”? There are so many Christian today that live a defeated and or apathetic life. The mind set of easy Christians living has taken over. There is no discipline of restriction or moderation. But is this right? Do we just continue to live as if our living does not matter? Yes, faith alone in Christ alone, but faith without work is dead! Paul speaks to this in our above text (Phil 3). He knows he has not reached perfection, he knows he can’t live a perfect life; yet he continues to live a life for God. Paul agrees with James (faith without work is dead) by understanding that in this life our work is not for salvation but our salvation causes us to work as unto the Lord. We don’t do this alone. After the resurrection of Christ, He left the Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). This is an attitude of humility. I know I can’t earn my salvation and I know I don’t deserve it, so I live my life in a grateful state of humility and obedience to my Lord’s command and example.
So what do we need to do? Strive and continue to check out our wig. Don’t walk around with unkempt hair but do something with it. Our life is not to be stagnant and we are to continue to press on for the upward calling of our Lord. “D” is looking for you. “D” Lord! Think about it.
