Don’t Get Stuck Getting Your Hair Cut Off

I was just reading the story of Samson and I was struck at how similar his life can be to mine – not always in the best of ways.

No I don’t have incredibly long hair.
No I don’t have 7 braids.
No I don’t have the strength of an ox.

What we do have in common are the consequences of sin. Samson you see, loved Delilah and was wooed by her good looks. He would do anything for her – she asked what the secret of his strength was and though he lied a few times, he finally told her. Delilah, with the help of a few others, cut off his hair (his Nazirite vow – a symbol of being separated in devotion to God). He lost his strength. He had been wooed by the world, by another woman, into sin, instead of fully devoting himself to God.

My story isn’t a replica of Samson’s – but what is, is that I sin and no matter WHAT sin I commit, there will be a consequence. I know, how about that for a feel-good blog post, right?

Actually it is. When I take the time to reflect on my life and how I am living it in devotion to God, I may realize some things about myself that are not right. Things, words, and actions that may not be pleasing to God. What I don’t always see is that my choices DO affect my relationship with God and DO affect my relationship with others. But where’s the hope?
In His Word and in Christ Himself. You see, Samson’s hair started to grow back – it didn’t mean that his strength was back. What it means to me is that God does not give up. Our strength and our abilities have NOTHING to do with us, but purely with God. Samson had lost sight of God and His desires for him. I can easily lose sight of God too. Not that I walk away from the faith, but I do lose sight of what God is doing in my life. The whys. When I do not stay focused on Him, it’s like “cutting off my hair” – losing a bit of my representation of my devotion to God. My word choices could be like “losing my hair” if I say something that is not pleasing to God. But it is in Christ that we find hope. He is our source of all joy – He is our source for answers to our life. He is our source in learning how to make the right choices.

All choices have consequences – some larger than others. Praise God that He has given us His Word to use as a map and guidebook.

Don’t get stuck in life, getting your hair cut off :).
Represent Christ day in and day out in your words and actions.

I know this is something I need to daily think about and bring to Him – and what a gift to be able to go to the Creator for those guiding words of wisdom!