Glowing Hair: What Once was Mine

Even as a senior in college, I love Disney movies.  Just last week, I referenced Mulan in one of my classes--much to my horror, my teacher had NEVER heard of it!  And to top the sundae, on a recent first date, when choosing from the hundreds of movies we could have watched, I picked Aladdin.  What can I say?! I'm a Disney princess at heart.

Even now, I love Disney movies,
especially the princess ones!

One of my favorites though, is Tangled--the story of Rapunsel.  As if her long, golden hair wasn't gorgeous enough, it glows when she sings.  Part of her magic song says, "Save what has been lost, bring back what once was mine, what once was mine."  There have been many times this week I've almost burst into this song--and, mind you, it's only Wednesday.

In a recent study of one of the weirdest stories in the Bible (completely my opinion there, a lesson God can teach us in all situations: it's in 2 Kings 6:1-7), God took me by the shoulders, looked me in the face and said, "Honey, you've lost your edge."

Much like the prophet in the story, my axehead flew off and sank to the bottom of the river.  I'd been trying to chop down trees with a piece of wood--pretty stupid, huh?

I've become disconnected from the water source and I've begun to look like a gross, wilty piece of lettuce.  But, thank goodness that wasn't all He said.  Our God isn't Captain Obvious who just states the facts and leaves.  He isn't the bully on the playground who says the cold, hard truth and then laughs as he skips away.  And He certainly doesn't have magic hair that glows when He sings.  But like Rapunsel's hair, He can save what's been lost and bring back what once was mine.

Take a look at Acts 3:19-21.
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you--even Jesus.  Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore ever tying, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.

The Old Testament is full of stories of how God restored His people--just think about the freedom from Pharaoh.  But in order to be restored, we have to realize that there's a problem and we need to ask for help.

Joel 2:12-14 paints such a beautiful picture.  "Return to me with all your heart," He says. "Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love...Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave behind a blessing..."  Even after all the gross, wilty lettuce, He may leave a blessing--truth that God has a plan, even when we are unconnected and spiritually dull.  Not only that, but He will greet us with grace and compassion; very different than the expected scolding.

Thank goodness the story doesn't end on a hopeless note; wilty lettuce forever doomed, stuck spending the rest of life chopping down trees with a 2x4!  Instead, there is hope to be restored by a God who is so much more powerful than glowing hair.

Thank you, Father, for second chances.  Thank you for your promise that you will restore me and sharpen my edges.  I will praise you for your faithfulness in my wandering; bind my heart to Thee.  I am amazed by your providence; thank you for showing me how you have a plan through it all and that even in the difficult situations you are still God.  Thank you for calling me your beloved, your daughter, your princess.  Help me to rend my heart to you, Father, and allow you to heal me.  Thank you for your quiet work in Esther, her example, and how you are using her life to return me to yourself.  How I love you.

Check out the song "Rend" by Jimmy Needham: such a great reminder and I hope it will help you remember truth this week, as it has for me.