His Way

My body doesn't hide the fact that I am getting older. I haven't even reached three decades, but I've got receding gums, bunions, and gray hairs, lots of gray hairs. When I had fewer gray hairs, I used to joke that I was going to start naming each gray hair after students, but now they are much more noticeable. I have looked online to see if gray hairs are the result of bad genetics or stress. It seems like both are factors. Over Christmas, my slightly younger and gray hair free sister noticed all of them and told me it was time to start dying my hair. Should I listen to her and try to keep that youthful look? It sure sounds like a lot of unnecessary work. Should I just not care and let them be? Why do they bother me? Probably because society says that gray hair is not pretty. They glisten in the light. They are noticeable. They make me undesirable.

One thing God has been teaching me and continually reminding me lately is how different His way is from society's way. He says true beauty comes from a gentle and quiet spirit. While man is more concerned with the outward appearance, God is more concerned with my heart. This is just one example, but I quickly find myself buying into what the world is telling me. I am so fickle. I want to be more independent (again, something admired by society), but I am realizing how dependent I need to be on God and His way of doing things. I need to be going to His Word for nourishment as frequently as I am actually eating. Like I crave coffee and dark chocolate, I need to keep going back to what He says. Things like:

• You need to be financially independent. Abide in Me.
• Stay scheduled and busy. Work and serve God. If not, you're lazy and selfish. Come sit at My feet.
• You need a career. Trust in Me with all your heart.
• You need to plan for your future. Do not worry about tomorrow.
• You need the latest and greatest things. Then you need more things. My grace is sufficient for you. 
• You should be married by now. What's wrong with you? I knit you together in your mother's womb. You are My Beloved.

I also need to surround myself with people who remind me of His way and help keep me focused on the One who deeply loves me, cares for me, and never leaves me.