For most of my life, when I had hair, it was cut at the barbers. Never liked it cut too short, and would have liked to wear it long, but it never happened. There is still a slight chance I could grow a pony tail, but there is a resounding ‘no’ from the resident fashion police.
One advantage of my thinning hair is that it is easy to have trimmed, and isn’t worth colouring!
But what style would suit me? Is there a ‘look’ that I should have had? Should I consider getting a wig?
Paul placed some fashion advice in scripture. It wasn’t quite instructions. He explained that he thought long hair was something that glorified God when worn by a woman, but not by a man. That was the impression he could see it making. What we project about our attitudes was his concern.
What Paul was looking to be projected was simple. It was godliness. god-like-ness. The gift of god-like-ness was given to the world in Jesus. It wasn’t expected, but boy did it work. While Paul was Saul he didn’t recognise god-like-ness in the church people – he saw it as a threat. Until it happened to him.
It is never achievable by styling, following fashion advice, or accident. It is a gift, received by grace. Wear it with style.
Clearly Paul did not have the same image of God/Jesus in his head that we have these days……a man with long hair and a beard 🙂 As for a woman having long hair to glorify God, well any woman who has to get up at stupid-o’clock to go to work will probably tell you that long hair isn’t usually a good choice, simply because it takes too much looking after…short and simple usually works better 🙂 I’m sure there are many notable church men with long hair (and beards) who have neither the need nor the desire to cut their hair, although they may colour it 🙂 In the run-up to choosing a new Archbishop of Canterbury, some of the possible candidates are very hirsuit….Rowan Williams certainly has a good head of hair and it clearly hasn’t done him any harm 🙂
As for you, Stef, I’ve seen some photos of you with hair, and very handsome you looked too, but the way you look now is perfect for you. If you made any changes, it wouldn’t be you. So in the words of the old song ‘Stay as sweet as you are’ and wear your look with grace and style 🙂 xx
Wear a wig and a pony tail, no thank you – I think it would change your personality and we wouldn’t want that, just stay as you are as we see you.