How long is your hair? Salons and barbers have now been shuttered for over a month. Women and men alike have had hair grow longer and longer. Some women have succumbed to hats and scarfs as the grey roots have begun to show. Men on the other hand, even those who were mostly bald, have now seen curls and tufts appear.
The most notable record of long hair in the Bible is that of Sampson. His great strength was attributed to his long hair. His mother pledged to God that it would never be cut. His long hair was a symbol of his allegiance to this promise and a reminder of God’s guidance in his life.
As we all weather through this uncertain time of isolation, perhaps we should deal with our lengthening hair as a reminder of God’s continuing guidance for our lives. Our vanity has disappeared. As we know, there is very little we can do about the condition of our hair. May we be reminded that, as Fred Rogers would say,. “God loves you just the way you are!”
Our strength to weather any adversity is indeed a gift of the Almighty. However, we must also affirm that it is the gathered and scattered community of the faithful that continues to act out each day God’s ultimate promise to us, “I will be your God and you will be my people.