I kinda stumbled upon these scriptures as an approximation of my life's guiding principles over time. I was stuck on Romans 12: 2 for ages. That scripture just spoke to me. It started with what I called my 'Romans 12:2 hair'. I had cut off my long permed hair and opted for a natural Afro.
My Romans 12:2 hair:
There is something powerful about a drastic change like that.
Watch out!
Any time a woman cuts her hair drastically, it is an indicator of some significant psychological and emotional change.
When I decided to cut my hair short, and started keeping it natural, it was more than a fashion statement, or convenience thing.
You see, this word of God -Romans 12:2, had become so embedded in me, that I was running out of ways of demonstrating my full understanding of it. I sought to transform every part of my being, in all dimensions. These were interesting times, as I poured my creativity into creating all sorts of styles, and researched all sorts of natural hair maintenance techniques for my Romans 12:2 hair . My hair became co opted into a 'witnessing' ministry of another kind.
I got a lot of comments and these were the trigger points with which I told the unsuspecting admirer that they are looking at a symbolic representation of a decision to be non conformist for a purose, that this is my Romans '12:2 hair'.
Reactions varied from outbursts of laughter, to patent expressions of confusion and surprise plus various renditions of- 'that's incredible!'
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| 9 months of Romans 12:2 natural hair! |
Anyway, moving right along.....
Romans 12:2 says:
DO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THE PATTERN OF THIS WORLD BUT BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWAL OF YOUR MIND
What this said to me was that it was okay to be non conformist, but the purpose of non conformism is for transformation of one's mind. The hair thing was a lot of fun, and I came to a realisation that this drastic change was an outward expression of an inner commitment. A commitment to open my mind to new possibilities, to open my mind to whatever God would have me be.
This is essentially talking about paradigm shifts- For me , God said not to stay in boxes but to think out of the box. Hey, I got a cool new hairstyle and lots of practice at verbalising these ideas as well.
Genesis 1:3 says:
GOD SAID LET THERE BE LIGHT
This statement came across to me as both simple and complex, in that there is the simplicity of the statement itself, and then the intricate beauty of this necessity for all who live on this earth called light. What this said to me was that this is God's spontaneous creativity- it brought about so much of the beauty of the earth and was the beginning of order. Also, darkness was shifted out of the way; for me this translates to the power of mountain/obstacles being moved and some new thing being revealed. A new dimension that illuminates one's path.
Beauty for ashes
Silver lined cloud
Abracadabra!
Whatever you would like to call it, it simply is a wonderful statement of God's spontaneous creativity!
Genesis 1:31 says:
GOD SAW ALL THAT HE MADE, AND IT WAS VERY GOOD.
All that I am made of was created by Him, for His purpose, and the testimony about me should be what my father said about me when I was created 'it is very good!' -in my walk, in my talk, my appearance, relationships, my service etc etc.
These are the underlying scriptures which are more or less guiding principles of my life.
What do I mean by 'spontaneous creativity and paradigm shifts can move mountains?'
I came to discover that 'paradigm shifting' and 'spontaneous creativity' were the principles by which virtually all my worst battles were fought and won. They were also the genesis of many life changing discoveries about myself.
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| 'God said let there be light'-A stunning sunset over the desert in Dubai on our 25th anniversary trip |
Sometimes when we drastically change our looks, people may not understand the internal struggles we have had to go through. I for example have had to fight a lot of internal battles. No one knew my internal struggles, my internal fights, my sadness, my deep insecurities. No one knew of it. With the Grace of God and with long hours of deep counselling, prayers and conversations with God, I am beginning to win the battles within until I win the whole war. It's not by my strength, it's from God because the battle is for our Lord, God. And I, WILL WIN THIS WAR! In celebration, I have recently decided to shed the old skin ( my long and full permed hair) to grow a natural one - the new skin to display my victory.
ReplyDeleteI can already hear the screams and shouts from different corners (especially from my parents and siblings). That won't bother me, I have come a long way, and I need to celebrate and give thanks to God.
I am sure you understand what I mean, you have an inkling to such battles.
I thank God for you that you have figured a lot of stuff out, and that you are on a path of self discovery. I identify with you seeking an outward expression of an inward commitment.
ReplyDeleteHave fun with it!
May you continue to be strengthened in your inner self.