God’s Grace for Gray Hair
One day this will happen to you if it hasn’t happened already. You’ll be passing by a mirror and be startled by a stranger in the reflection – until you realize that the stranger is you.
The gray hair is accentuated by several strays doing their own thing. Crow’s feet, laugh lines, and jowls are taking over. This is a new “me,” and although I knew it was coming, I wasn’t expecting it just quite yet.
In the middle of the night, my waist has been growing, and my thighs and tummy are following its lead. Being toned and firm suddenly sounds like an awful lot of work!
By the grace of God, not only is my body changing, but so is my mindset. I’m realizing what God has been trying to tell me my entire life: The high calling and holy truth is that this body of mine is the dwelling place of His Holy Spirit. My body is His vessel for carrying out acts of service and love as His ambassador.
My body isn’t a hanging rack for cute dresses and sharp outfits – although there’s nothing wrong with those things. It’s not a display for summer’s strappy sandals and bright nail polish – although they’re both totally fine. It’s not a palette for glowing foundation and shiny lip gloss – no problem with those, either. It’s not a perch for flowing locks and subtle highlights – although they sure are pretty.
External beauty is – well, beautiful. But when the day comes that you pass by that mirror and surprise yourself by what you find, you’ll hope like crazy that there’s something more to life than your outward appearance.
Turns out that our bodies were designed for more important, eternal work. Feet to carry the gospel to the ends of the earth and down the block. Knees that kneel to tie a little one’s shoes and put us in a posture of prayer. Backs that bend to lift a friend out of a dark place and bear the burdens of others. Hearts that “rejoice with those who rejoice” and “mourn with those who mourn.” (Romans 12:15) Arms that embrace the weary and raise up in worship of our good and holy God. Lips that smile encouragement and speak life. Eyes that see into hurting souls and look up to heaven for hope. Gray hair that witnesses to the faithfulness of the Lord all the days of our lives.
To accomplish these things, I must treat this body as “the temple of the Holy Spirit” that it is, knowing that I was purchased at the cost of the blood of Jesus. I am not my own. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) I’ll steward this body with wisdom, healthy food, plenty of water, and a good balance of activity and rest. I’ll thank God and rejoice in this marvelous creation, “fearfully and wonderfully made” for His glory. (Psalm 139:14)
With age comes a heightened awareness of the brevity of life and of the urgency to accomplish significant, lasting things. I’ve begun to more fervently aim for the goal of Matthew 6:20-21: “…Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” I want to strive for true beauty – “the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” (1 Peter 2:4b) I want to relax and remember that while “man looks at the outward appearance…the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7b) And I do indeed want to care for this temple as the dwelling place of God’s Holy Spirit, resting in the reality that “though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” (2 Corinthians 4:16b) With every passing day, heaven is one day closer, and that’s a wonderful thing to look forward to!
My new habit as I surprise myself in the mirror these days is to look intently into those eyes staring back at me, smile, wink, and say, “Keep it up, old gal! You’re almost home!”
