Hair.
So much identity is packed into such dead things.
Hair.
Everyone has it – why does it have such a boundary of setting one person apart from the other?
Hair.
This is a subject that has been rackling my mind recently.
It’s not that I find my beauty in my hair. Month 2 of the Race, in Guatemala, God showed me my inner and outer beauty. I know that I am a beautiful person, inside and out, because I was molded and created by my Father. I do not find my identity in my hair, my clothes, my things because I find my identity in Christ.
So, now that we’re clear…
Many people have known me as that girl with the hair. Before the Race I had long, wavy hair and people would often comment on it, saying that it was beautiful and whatnot.
At the beginning of the Race I had wanted dreads for about 5 years. I had always said that I was going to get
So, coming on the Race opened up a wonderful window of dreadiness. I jumped on the train quickly and haven’t regretted my decision since.
Within the first week of the Race, I got dreads. I, again, was that girl with the hair, except it transitioned to that girl with the dreads.
Now, being in Malaysia, month 7 of the World Race, I have walked through so many things. I have faced so many realities of my past and have talked through many things with God so that the things of my future will glorify Him.
As I was lying on the floor a couple nights ago, trying to go to sleep, all I could think about was my hair.
When am I going to cut it? What will it symbolize?
I talked to family and friends and they reminded me that they want to see my dreads in person.
Man, so much was surrounding my hair. Really, it’s a distraction.
I think about it, people ask me about it, they compliment me on it.
I’ve realized it’s a distraction, not only for me, but also for others seeing what God is doing in my life. People back home are more interested in my hair than in what I am learning about from God; what He is doing in my life.
(This does not mean all people, so don’t take that offensively, you few.)
One thing I have learned on the Race is that if something is eating at you so much that you are constantly thinking about it, then cut it out of your life!
As an example, I had a blue sweater that I brought from home. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to drop it from my pack or not. I went an entire month with an indecisive mind – should I keep it, should I drop it?
I was wasting my thoughts, time, and was worrying about something that was not bringing me any closer to God.
I was thinking about it too much, so I cut it from my life. It was causing me too much stress to think about it, so I solved it by literally not thinking about it anymore and getting rid of it.
Same goes with my hair.
I’ve been thinking about it too much.
I’ve been thinking about it and at the same time it has not brought me any closer to God.
So, God told me that it’s time – time to cut it out of my life.
He told me this will bring freedom. Not only will it bring freedom from the weight on my head, but also spiritual freedom.
This month, though only a week in, has provided much freedom for me. I have been holding on to so many things of my life; things that I have never told anyone.
Now that those things are out and in the open, I feel free!
I was hiding them from people, keeping them in the dark.
In order to grown myself and grown closer to God I had to bring those things into the light that, for so many years, were in the dark.
Now, I am free… and so is my hair!
