I recently learned a disturbing secret about females.  I overheard 6 women comparing notes about the hair that was growing in their ears and on their noses and in all other kinds of crazy places.   I thought that was just a guy thing!  

Time fills in the empty spaces on our heads with hair.  If I didn’t keep mine trimmed, I would look like an albino chimpanzee.  Maybe this was God’s plan, a measure of mercy to hide my gnarly face.

But I wonder about Seth the third son of Adam and Eve.  He was 912 years old when he died.  Nose hair trimmers and such did not exist back in his day.   So, at almost 1,000 years old, poor Seth much have been a gigantic furball.

There is a silver lining, however, to the hair that comes with aging. Though some of us want to wash away the gray. The Scripture tells us it is a badge of honor.   

Proverbs 16:31 says, “Gray hair is like a crown of glory; it is attained in the path of righteousness.” 

Gray hair is a crown, a reward of sorts and according to Solomon it can be attained.  Really?  How does one obtain gray hair – I mean besides L’Oréal Paris?

Well, we need to understand the nature of the book of Proverbs to understand this specific one. “A proverb, is a simple and concrete saying popularly known and repeated, which expresses a truth, based on common sense or the practical experience of humanity.” (Wikipedia on Proverbs) 

Cervantes defined a proverb as “a short sentence based on long experience.”  Proverbs are generally true, although there certainly are occasional exceptions.

But what does this have to do with gray hair? 

Solomon frequently argued that wise choices generally result in a long life with gray hair as the proof, whereas foolish, sinful choices typically shave years from a person’s life expectancy.  They may not see their gray day.   

For instance, “The beginning of wisdom is to fear the Lord and acknowledging the Holy One is understanding.  For because of me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.” – Proverbs 9:10-11

He tells us that those who observe and follow biblical truth will most often live longer, more healthy lives.  But is this true? 

Well, I think of my own experience.  I spent the first 19 years of my life ignoring the truth of God and making dumb choices. 

I drank to excess, possibly setting myself up for severe health consequences for later in life.  While under the influence I did all kinds of stupid things including frequently drinking and driving.  That could certainly have reduced my life expectancy.

Then there was that time I broke into a house and could have been rightfully gunned down once I crossed the threshold. 

I could have been arrested for any number of other offenses.  Jail time would probably have affected my health and life span.

Pursuing my selfish agenda was very unfulfilling and depressing.  I seriously planned on taking my own life at one point.

But then Jesus stepped in and saved me from hell and myself at age 19.  From that day to the present, I have set my heart on serving Jesus and trying to wisely govern my life by the truth in His Word. 

The choices I have made since, have contributed to a long, healthy satisfying life. 

And guess what?  Today my gray hair, even the ones in my ears, they make up my crown of glory; attained by God’s grace and by pursuing the path of righteousness. 

There are so many rewards when we live a life of obedience to the Lord.  A mop of gray hair is just one of them.

A PRAYER: Lord, thank you for the practical, life-giving wisdom in your Word.  Help us to put it to work each day.

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

Scripture refences are from the NETBible®