My Glory

But you, O Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the One who lifts up my head. Psalm 3:3 [NRSV]

Getting older stinks! What? I’m not supposed to say that? I apologize [sort of], but in many ways, life past a certain age requires a new visualization of self. Parts of me begin to droop, drop, fall, spread, sprout lines—the list goes on and on. Every time I look in the mirror, there is a new sag, bag, or wrinkle to view. What really catches my attention, however, is my hair.

The Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11:15, “a woman’s hair is her glory.” It takes us half our lives to understand that statement, because we spend most of our youth/young adulthood wishing for any other kind/color of hair than that which is on our head. Around the time we finally appreciate the beauty [i.e., glory] of our hair, however, it decides to slowly leave us.  Whether you are cleaning hairs out of your brush, counting the ones left in the sink, or vacuuming up the strands on the bathroom floor, a woman’s knowledge that her hair is thinning is a real source of fearful questions: How much will I lose? Will Rogaine help? Is it time to wear a wig? Can God keep an accurate count of the hairs on my head when He’s continually having to subtract?

Our verse today gives a completely different outlook on the subject. My hair is simply a portion of my physical self. My glory, however, is the Lord. He gathers around me as a shield, He covers me with His glory, and lifts up my head as acknowledgement that I am complete in Him.

Father, we love You, we worship and adore You.

Glorify Your name in all the earth.

Glorify Your name, Glorify Your name,

Glorify Your name in all the earth.