Hairspray??

As a kitchen and bath designer, I am often asked to build a room around one item. Most often it is a cherished family heirloom that needs a special display shelf, or a unique piece of artwork to use as a focal point. Recently, I designed a cabinet around a can of hair spray. It wasn’t rare or expensive. It didn’t come in a special box. It was an ordinary, aerosol can of hair spray. What made it special was that it was an item the client wanted easy access to when she needed it.

While pondering and executing this design “challenge”, I began thinking about how we design our spiritual lives. How often do we focus on the more special gifts God has given us, and overlook the common, everyday way we live? God does give us unique spiritual gifts to use in service to others and praise to Him. For most Christians these gifts are more evident in a church setting. We may use our musical talent to inspire others to praise. We may teach God’s Word in a way that brings new understanding to all who hear us. We may give encouragement those in need of hope and healing. All of these things are good, and surely bring joy to the heart of God.

So how does this relate to hairspray? Hairspray is one of many common things that are a part of our lives. We use it when we need our hair to stay in place as we go about our daily routine. How many other things do we do everyday without a lot of thought. When we stop by a store after a bad day, do we take out our frustrations on the cashier? When a thoughtless driver cuts us off in traffic, do we raise our voice in praise, or anger? When a co-worker needs to talk about a problem, do we stop to listen, or blow them off with some excuse? Our willingness to please God and live a life that would draw people to Him should be our spiritual “hairspray” during the windstorms of life.

We spend more time in the “world” than we do in church. God wants us to use our “special things” in the church. I believe He also wants us to be the same person outside the church walls. When those seeking guidance come within our midst on Sunday, will it matter how pretty we sing, how brilliantly we teach, or how compassionate we are? It won’t matter if all they remember is that our hair was out of place during the week, because we didn’t use our hairspray.