Getting my haircut has become somewhat of a hobby recently. I thoroughly enjoy having my scalp massaged while it’s being washed, catching up with my hairdresser about my upcoming trip, and getting some of the weight off of my thick hair.
During a breakout session at World Race training camp for Beauty for Ashes, Adventures in Mission’s women’s ministry, we did an activity where we drew a picture of how we viewed God. I prayed that I would get the image that He wanted me to see and I was a little surprised at the results.
My thoughts immediately went to me walking in to a salon and sitting down to get a haircut. God is patting the seat of the chair telling me to sit down and suggests that He knows exactly what I need. He then brings me over to the shampoo basin and begins to massage my scalp and it makes me feel a little spoiled. I tell Him about my day; the highs and lows, my triumphs and fears. After my hair is clean, we return to the chair where He starts snipping away with His shears, getting rid of the dead ends, thinning out some of the weight, and giving me layers that complement the cut.
To be honest, half way through any haircut I get, I start to have a moment of panic and wonder if I’m making a mistake by cutting my hair off, because I will look different than what I’ve gotten used to seeing in the mirror. This is also a reflection of my relationship with God. Are the changes He’s making in my life beneficial? Will I like the outcome or will I regret making a change? But just like my hairdresser, I know that I’m not the expert on the subject matter and I have to trust that my hair and my life are in good hands.
I’m finally at the end of my hair cut, so I get a nice blowout to polish the look and I’m anxious to see the results. God turns me around in the spinning chair to where I can see my reflection in the mirror and says “Wow, you look great, just as I imagined! Let’s schedule our next appointment.” I leave feeling refreshed and lighter because the extra weight of my hair no longer falls on my shoulders, but is now being swept up and discarded.
I want to challenge my readers to practice this exercise. How do you view God?
