Take cover! (a look at head covering)

Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you. But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. 

Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head. But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved. For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn. But if it is shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered. 

For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. For man is not from woman, but woman from man. Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man.

For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 

Nevertheless, neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord. For as woman came from man, even so man also comes through woman; but all things are from God.

Judge among yourselves. Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him? But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given to her for a covering. But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God.
[1 Corinthians 11:2-16, NKJV]

This passage has long fascinated me, and has often created strife & discord, or at the very least confusion, among the church - and can infuriate or confound those who are not Christian. Should women cover their heads all the time? Just at church? Can a man sport long hair? Should a woman cut her hair short? What was Paul writing about in this letter to the church at Corinth, so long ago?

Photo by Molly Viglione Photography, 2013

As with any doctrine in the Bible, it's important to remember that we must be willing to take into account the historical context AND the whole counsel of God when we try to discern what is meant. Many factions and heresies in the church have come from those who try to build a doctrine based on their limited understanding of one or two verses! As I began to research what it all meant, I have found the following online resources to be helpful:

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 11
John Wesley's Explanatory Notes on 1 Corinthians 11

John MacArthur - The Subordination and Equality of Women (sermon - part 1)

John MacArthur - The Role of the Godly Woman (sermon, part 2)

Faith Defenders - Head Coverings

I was also introduced to this website recently, and I've appreciated the insights here. I don't know that I necessarily agree that it is a mandatory practice as of yet, but I'm not done searching for answers. (May I never be done searching for answers, Lord! Make my spirit a teachable one!)

The site is called "The Head Covering Movement". I've highlighted some of the really helpful articles:
An Introduction to a Neglected Doctrine
Why Head Coverings? Reason #1: Creation Order
Why Head Coverings? Reason #2: Angels
Why Head Coverings? Reason #3: Nature
Why Head Coverings? Reason #4: Church Practice

And the following books are helpful on the subject of biblical womanhood -some of which address headcovering. It is by no means an exhaustive list, only what I would recommend because I've read all or parts of them:

Evangelical Feminism & Biblical Truth by Wayne Grudem

Recovering Biblical Manhood & Womanhood by Wayne Grudem & John Piper

This Momentary Marriage by John Piper

The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace

Let me stress this, as I share. For the time being, I choose to wear a scarf, kerchief, etc - all day. My choice to cover my head in no way is a symbol of my salvation, or my superiority as a believer. It does not mean that I think all women should cover their heads. It does not mean that I think another's worship or prayers mean less than mine.

It does mean that in my own personal relationship with my Lord, I feel Him asking me to wear this symbol as a tangible reminder that I have been created as a woman under authority - my husband's, my church leadership's, and God's - so that God might get the most glory. Will & I have had seasons in our marriage of much discord. Pain, frustration, anger, bitterness. Friends, it ought not to be this way - but sometimes that is reality. Even though I often do a shoddy job of it, the deepest desire of my heart is to live a life that brings God the most honor - and walking around with a reminder on my head keeps me accountable to Him throughout the day. I need the constant reminder to treat Will with honor and respect - because often, I don't. To my shame, and his, and ultimately, God's. I need the reminder that God has given me a specific role - and it's not to be the star of the show!! My role is to support, care for, encourage, and live a quiet life of gratitude and praise - willing to pour out my time, strength, & energies out of love for Christ, Will, and my beautiful daughters [who are continually learning from my example what the love of God looks like in action!], even when conditions are not ideal. Even when I am dishonored, or dismissed, or not loved or appreciated as I feel I ought to be. The gentle tug of the pins that hold my covering in place remind me through my day that 1) I should be living a lifestyle of continual worship & prayer, and 2) I am called to cultivate a submissive heart attitude - to put others' needs & wants before my own, trusting that the Lord will take care of my desires & needs in His time! 3) I can always take cover in the Lord. He is my refuge, strong tower, shelter, and He guards my very life when I run to Him!

So, friend, if you are reading this, please know that I don't expect you to be wearing a covering on your head next time I see you. I'm not looking to show anyone up, or guilt anyone into this practice; I'm just hoping to share a little of what God is doing in my heart today and to share the ongoing hope that I have in Christ that He can change even a wicked heart like mine to be more like His!

I echo John MacArthur's sentiment:
"As with meat that had been offered to idols, there was nothing in the wearing or not wearing of the head covering itself that was right or wrong. It is the rebellion against God–ordained roles that is wrong, and in Corinth that rebellion was demonstrated by women praying and prophesying with their heads uncovered."
Read some of his thoughts on 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 here:
Head Coverings for Women

Covered by His mercy & grace,

for His glory!

~Lisha

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PS If you have questions, or thoughts, let's talk! I am not an authority on this issue, and I'd love to talk it over. I'm not going to be insulted, or offended, or upset, by anyone who is also wanting truth - or by people who disagree with me! :)

your new wardrobe

I got to go clothes shopping on Friday with my mom. She took me as a belated birthday/Christmas gift, and we had a great time. I haven't been shopping with the intention of picking out clothes for myself in a long time, and I ended up with 2 pairs of corduroy pants (marked down to $10 from $40, each! Score!), a cute skirt, two sweaters, and two shirts. All for $60. It was wonderful. 

Since Friday, I have tried on my new clothes over and over again. Like new crayons (see my previous note), new clothes bring a smile to my face. Since I don't get them often, I thoroughly relish the experience of trying on new clothes and wearing them for the first time. Yesterday morning I was putting on my grey cords (which are so ridiculously comfy!) and one of the new shirts and I noticed how I tend to stand up straighter and be extra careful when I am wearing brand new clothing. How I tend to feel better about my outward appearance when I am wearing new clothes. 

And there was a lesson for me in the way I paraded myself around in new clothing. 

God tells us not to worry about our clothing (Matthew 6, Jesus' Sermon on the Mount), because He will give us the clothing we need to protect us. [He does not promise, however, to fill our master walk in closets with hundreds of pairs of shoes or a dresser full of fancy underthings or an excessive number of shirts, pants, or sweaters! That's materialism and vanity, folks.] God makes it clear to us, throughout His word, that He desires that we should beautify our souls and let Him change our hearts to be more like that of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. He also tells us which characteristics to take off. This is the passage that flashed through my mind as I stared at my new clothes in the mirror yesterday morning: 

But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. 

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. [Colossians 3:8-17] 

...and this is the passage that was staring me in the face, since it's taped to the mirror in the bathroom: 
Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. [1 Peter 3:3-4] 

Isn't it fantastic that God is more concerned with our inward appearance than our outward one? He gave us our bodies; He controls our genetic makeup and because of that, we are each beautiful to Him, just the way we are on the outside. But even so, He cares more that our soul is beautiful, that out of the overflow of what's in our hearts come forth praises and thanksgiving on our lips and in our actions. 

God also promises that once the decision is made by you and I to accept the sacrifice of Christ's life as payment for our sins, that we are new in Christ: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. [2 Corinthians 5:17] 

And so, as I stood there in my new clothes, which I do very much appreciate still, I realized that my focus had been all wrong. I shouldn't be parading about in my new clothing, even if it looks nice on me or if it was a great deal. I need to let myself get that excited about putting on the virtues of God that make a lady truly beautiful from the inside out. 

What are you putting on today, dear friend? Did you spend more time making your outer self look fantastic to hide the ugliness of your sin? Did you spend time today purifying your heart, that you might be more like the Lord Jesus? Put on love. Put on thankfulness. Put on joy and praise. Those things never go out of style; they are expensive but they are worth every sacrifice made to own them. Take off those bitter grudges that weigh down your soul. Take off anger. Take off your cynicism and your pessimism. Take off anxiety. Be free of those qualities that taint your spirit and add emotional weight to your life - put on the characteristics of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

For His glory!
~Lisha

I may be sharing this post at one of the following homemaking Link-up parties!

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