I talked about the project Water For Life in my last blog. As I wrote that blog, I was waiting to leaving for that project.
I was told that having a beard is related with ISIS, but most people can tell you’re not because you look American. I thought, ” Maybe I should at least trim it.” And that’s as far as i got.
I told my friends and family I won’t shave for the duration of the WR and that’s been true so far. I told my team I would shave if ministry needed it. Not if God asked, but if man asked. I’ve always wanted to have a beard since I was young, seeing all the lumberjacks on tv was how I wanted my beard to look. So when I was left my job in the oilfield, I was able to start growing my beard!!
So as I waited to leave for the Water For Life project, the leader of the group came to me and said,” I have some bad news for you.” My heart dropped because I knew what is was about. He went on,” Nothing against you, but Kosovo is on the lookout for any ISIS activity and the villages have a very bad connotation of beards because of that. And at that moment, the Holy Spirit said to shave your beard. I knew I didn’t have the time or means to do it right there. It broke my heart that knowing my beard is a hindrance to the ministry and I could have done something about it when I was told.
As I continued the day wondering about how much I am surrendered to what God asks of me. So I shaved my beard that night. I want to know that I will listen to what God asks of me more than what I want to look like.
