Heart Over Hair
By Lexi Cole Ellis
By Lexi Cole Ellis
When
I was in third grade, my sisters and I spent a weekend with my aunt and her
family in Michigan. There are many wonderful memories but one, seemingly
random, memory has always stuck with me. My older cousin had a multitude of
“unique” hairstyles during this time. While we were at my aunt’s church, a
person (whom I sure meant well) shared her opinion about my cousin’s different
hairstyles. My aunt was gracious, and she lovingly said something along the
lines of, “I actually don’t disagree with you. But it’s just hair. And I care more
about his heart…than his hair.”
It begs the question: What are some “hair issues” that we make too much of...when our focus should rather be on a “heart issue”? I’m not talking dogma; Jesus is clear that some biblical interpretations are non-negotiables. But sometimes I wonder if we, the Church, have added too many things to that list of non-negotiables. And instead of only “majoring on the majors,” we’ve added some “hair issues,” or elevated some things well above their actual importance…all for the sake of our own ease and comfort.
Sometimes, I allow how others perceive me to become an all-consuming “hair” issue. The idea of being “good enough” starts to creep up in importance when Scripture is clear that my heart motivation matters more. Other “hair” issues could be worship-style or programing preferences, political parties, personality differences or smaller theological debates. These things aren’t bad by themselves. But they become distractions, at the least, when we emphasize them too much…or, at the most, when we let them start dictating salvation.
It isn’t just today: The early Church had a “hair issue,” too. During the time that Romans 14 was written, we see some believers deciding to eat, or not eat, certain foods. I love how Paul’s response in the Message is paraphrased:
It begs the question: What are some “hair issues” that we make too much of...when our focus should rather be on a “heart issue”? I’m not talking dogma; Jesus is clear that some biblical interpretations are non-negotiables. But sometimes I wonder if we, the Church, have added too many things to that list of non-negotiables. And instead of only “majoring on the majors,” we’ve added some “hair issues,” or elevated some things well above their actual importance…all for the sake of our own ease and comfort.
Sometimes, I allow how others perceive me to become an all-consuming “hair” issue. The idea of being “good enough” starts to creep up in importance when Scripture is clear that my heart motivation matters more. Other “hair” issues could be worship-style or programing preferences, political parties, personality differences or smaller theological debates. These things aren’t bad by themselves. But they become distractions, at the least, when we emphasize them too much…or, at the most, when we let them start dictating salvation.
It isn’t just today: The early Church had a “hair issue,” too. During the time that Romans 14 was written, we see some believers deciding to eat, or not eat, certain foods. I love how Paul’s response in the Message is paraphrased:
Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don’t see things the way you do. And don’t jump all over them every time they do or say something you don’t agree with - - even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently. [1]
Oh, may we focus on the heart - - examining our own lives before getting uptight about the smaller “hair issues” of the day. May we be people who focus on the heart more than the hair… choosing to love God, love others and make disciples as our utmost priority.
GOING DEEPER:
1. Take time to examine your heart. What are some potential
“hair issues” that God is revealing to you?
Lexi is a sixth grade teacher. She and her husband, Andrew, have a dog named Calvin and are expecting their daughter in June. Lexi serves with Children’s Ministries and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.
[1] Romans 14:1, MSG (a paraphrase of Scripture in modern
language written by Eugene Peterson)
