Discern the Concern

There it was, staring me down like a defiant toddler.  Stubborn.  Ungoverned.  Refusing to yield, or go along with the others.  This was concerning.   What should I do about it?, I wondered.  What is this anomaly?  What does it mean?  Do I have a nutritional deficiency?  Am I suffering from a hormonal imbalance?  These were my thoughts as I discovered the singular silver-gray hair in my right eyebrow. I’d better do some research. 

After scanning the internet (aka “research”), I was able to make a confident diagnosis…Aging.  I hadn’t considered that.  Admittedly, I will soon be entering into a new decade of life, but it never dawned on me that this was a normal occurrence.  I suppose any clear thinking person understands gray hair is a normal part of aging.  But an eyebrow?  Really?  Laugh if you will.  

I thought of what Jesus said to the Pharisees when they were asking Him to show them a sign. He said,  “Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times.” Matthew 16:3b (NKJV)   They could look up at the sky and see that rain was coming, yet they couldn’t discern that Jesus was the Messiah and He was standing right in front of them!  His coming had been prophesied numerous times in scripture.  They were well acquainted with the scriptures.  They should have known.  Why couldn’t they see and understand the obvious?  Maybe for the same reason that I couldn’t see and understand the obvious about my gray eyebrow – I didn’t want to.  Hmmm….

When we look at the things happening around the world today, it is concerning.  And, we must be discerning.  I don’t want to miss what’s right in front of me. 

“Be very careful, then, how you live–not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16 NIV

So…

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:16 NKJV