A girl had silken, flowing hair. It was the delight of her life and cynosure of many eyes, including suitors who lined up for her hand in marriage. She even changed her walk to sway in consonance with her hair.
Then a condition developed. She had to cut her hair short, almost tomboyish. When she walked past the mirror, she said, ‘Hello’, for a flicker of a moment, forgetting it was her, not a stranger.
It took a while to get used to this new person in her life. Over time, she did, and she was grateful for the change. The hours she spent minding her hair were reduced to minutes. She found new suitors. They were as bewitched with her short hair as those who favoured long, silken hair, almost like a trophy, ready to go into battle to win.
She was a busy person. Very talented. Now she found time to do justice to a haphazard effort, half a day consumed managing her tresses.
Years later, a situation arose in her child’s school. She was a mother of many. Busy, to say the least. A new management had taken over the school. Changes were afoot. The school fees fell somewhere between convent schools and international schools.
The new management wanted the teachers to look smart to match the students’ wearing blazers. The teachers were instructed to do the same: Western attire for a smarter look.
Change foments resistance - a human trait. Groups coalesce around agreeing with the change, and those who feel it is being imposed without consent. Tension rises. The management, having decided, wants it implemented.
The teachers, having decided to either resist, comply or sign out, are distracted. Students and parents feel the magnetic pull to get involved.
What is the way out? Resist not, burden not. The condition led to silken, longish hair becoming shortish, tomboyish hair, resulting in more time, more productivity.
All human conditions can be resolved by the renewal of the mind.
Those who don’t renew their minds when faced with the ‘rock and a hard place’ will fall by the wayside. But not just once, but throughout their lifetime. Fossilised by resistance to change.
The only thing certain about life is death and taxes. And the only thing constant about change is change. Jesus was born to bring about change at great price to himself and his mother.
The child’s father and mother marvelled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” (Lk 2:33-35)
Change is wrenching.
Peter, a veteran fisherman, knew his marbles. He knew where to fish. Then the ‘Lamb of God’, pointed out by John the Baptist, came along. A curious Andrew and a fellow apostle stalked Jesus to find out where the Lamb stayed. The lamb sensed some sheep behind him.
Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” (John 1:38)
Jesus told the veteran fisherman (who knew where to fish), “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signalled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” (Lk 5:4-8)
What should we deduce from the Bible passage, the Word of God - given to us for the renewal of our mind? Listen, obey, discover what is hidden from us.
God wants you to have the very best. He cannot make you do it. He instructs. It is for us to follow. When Jesus spoke to his disciples, he was direct. To others, he spoke in Parables. He knew his disciples. Remember what was told by Simeon to Mother Mary about Jesus:
“This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” (Lk 2:33-35)
“Follow me”. They left their nets, jobs, rumination, whatever engaged them at that moment. They followed him. Elisha resisted just a bit when Elijah called him to ministry. “Go back,” Elijah replied. “What have I done to you?” Elisha realised his error. He burned the ploughing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant. (1 Kgs 19:19-21).
When a man of God instructs us to obey, don’t resist and burden yourself with unkind, retaliatory thoughts. Accept and surrender to the Good Lord. All will work out for good. God sees our heart and knows we are troubled. When we submit, he takes over. No time is wasted. Peace reigns.
- Mathew Anthony
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