A Close Shave

 

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very morning it’s the same routine!  The alarm clock goes off, I stumble out of bed, walk over to the desk, turn the alarm off, and go back to bed for a few more winks of sleep.  I get up, gather my things for bathing, hit the shower, return to the room, make the bed, and prepare myself for the day ahead.  I stand before the mirror, ready to begin one of my least favorite parts of the morning, the dreaded-but-ever-so-necessary-shave!   

 

Until several months ago, I performed this daily activity with the conventional hand-held razor and shaving cream.  The razor worked very well as long as I kept it sharp, used plenty of lather, and took my time, especially in hard to reach places. The results, spoke for themselves.  Most of the time I did a pretty good job; but at other times, I left more than my share of nicks and small cuts on my chin.

 

Last August I purchased an electric razor and this has made a world of difference.  While the actual process of shaving is still the same, the electric razor doesn’t require me to use shaving cream and the process is quicker and neater.  Nevertheless, the electric razor performs the same task as its hand-held cousin.   

 

Both razors glide along the surface of my skin, removing the unwanted hair that has grown there over the previous twenty-four hour period.  In order to maintain this clean appearance, it is necessary to perform this ritual daily.  If I miss for even one day, it becomes more difficult and at times a little painful to get my face back in good shape.  So, although the temptation is there, especially on Saturdays, to forego shaving, it’s always a good idea to exercise self-discipline and shave every day. 

 

Now what, you might be asking, does shaving have to do with the Christian life?  How can this possibly teach us anything about our walk with God?  Actually, there is an excellent parallel between shaving and our daily walk with Christ.  In Luke’s gospel Jesus lays down a single requirement for being one of his disciples.  In Luke 9:23, Jesus tells his disciples. "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”   

 

As Christians, we’ve heard this verse repeated from pulpits, during Bible studies, and we’ve even quoted it ourselves.  However, have we really grasped the most important word in this statement of Jesus?  The most important word here is daily!  Yep, that means every single day!  Jesus didn’t give us permission to take up our cross only on Sunday, nor did he suggest that we carry it only on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  No!  He states very clearly and emphatically that anyone wanting to become one of his followers must take up his cross daily and follow Christ. 

 

When we follow his instructions, we find that daily walking with Jesus removes any and all undesirable things from taking root in our lives.  Sin and disobedience are kept in check and are not allowed to grow wild and out of control.  Daily denial of self and bearing one’s cross keep us in a right relationship with Jesus and make us every mindful of the price he paid for our sin.  Only by walking and relating to God on a daily basis can we ever hope to live the life God intended for us all along. 

 

However, if we fail to maintain this daily discipline, if we refuse to apply God’s word to our lives on a daily basis, then we allow sin and disobedience to grow freely and unchecked in our lives.  When these get out of control, it will be much more difficult and more painful to cut them down and return us to a smooth and constant relationship with Christ.  Shaving a three or four-day-old beard is possible, but it is not fun.  In the same way, trying to maintain a relationship with God on anything but a daily basis makes the process of carrying our cross more difficult and painful.  Only by denying our selves and daily taking up our crosses can we hope to become true followers of Christ. 

 

So, the next time you take a razor in your hand, remember this truth.  We need to spend time with God daily in order to allow Him to remove everything from our lives that hinders our relationship with him.  Only he can remove unwanted areas in our lives that grow out of control if not kept in check.  He knows that daily communion with him leaves our lives smooth and clean, free from all traces of sin that can separate us from him.  So, when you wake in the morning, spend time with God and be sure to ask him to give you a close shave.  You’ll be glad you did!