An Unexpected Haircut
My hairdresser’s eyes widened. He was suddenly very intrigued.
Reference: v.24 The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” (TNIV Bible)
Explore: A few years ago I went to get my hair cut at a new salon. I always find these appointments interesting as hairdressers are good at talking about all different kinds of topics.
As I’d never been to this salon before, the hairdresser asked the regular questions about where I live and family, etc. Of course, the obvious question finally came up: “What do you do for a job?”
I braced myself for the response and answered with my occupation at the time, “I’m a minister.”
“What, of politics?”
“No,” I said, “of religion.”
My hairdresser’s eyes widened. He was suddenly very intrigued.
He admitted that he’d never cut a minister of religion’s hair before and I was not what he would expect one to look like. I guess being under 30 years of age and a female had really thrown him.
Application: When Jesus walked this earth He certainly went beyond expectations. There were times when Jesus loved and healed people who felt lonely and forgotten, they couldn’t believe that God would care for them.
On the other hand, in Mark 2, we read of the religious leaders getting really frustrated at Jesus because He was not living up to their expectations. They thought He should mix with a particular group of people, say particular words, and act in a particular way. But Jesus was not limited to their expectations… and He’s not limited by ours either.
We like to put Jesus in a box so that we can understand Him. However, if He baffled the Pharisees, who studied and researched the scriptures, then you can guarantee that God will baffle us too.
Let’s keep our hearts and our minds open to all that God has in store for us. Let us not limit Him but be open to expanding ourselves to the diversity of God, rather than limiting God to our simplistic views.
Prayer: Lord, we feel more comfortable when we know everything about You and understand all there is to know. However, You are more vast, complex, and intricate than we can ever understand. Help me to love You, even when I don’t understand You, and to have a malleable heart that is open to all of humanity. Amen.
What can God expect of you?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.
1 comment:
Great post Linda!
Love this….. “Let’s keep our hearts and our minds open to all that God has in store for us. Let us not limit Him but be open to expanding ourselves to the diversity of God, rather than limiting God to our simplistic views.”
Hope your having a wonderful Christmas season!