Outrageous!

The older I get, I think the more outrageous I get. Of course being a Christian, and a healed one at that, is reason enough for people to think I’m outrageous! And whereas I used to worry about what people thought of me, today… well, I don’t.

You see, even though society will tell you that you simply must look a certain way, act a certain way, believe a certain way, and dress, weigh, think, live, and choose…GAH! The list is seemingly endless! Personally, I’m just not “in” to society. And those who are my friends (and even not my friends) will tell you that I march to the beat of a different drum. Truthfully, I always have… even if it was only in my mind and heart.

Several days ago though, I did something really outrageous even for me. I colored my hair purple. *GaSp!* Yeah, I did. I was just feeling really outrageous one day, and I reasoned within myself that since I wear brightly colored, mismatched socks, why not put some brightness in my hair?

No, I really didn’t do it in order to bring more attention to myself. But if it does bring people into my life so that I can encourage them and tell them how much Jesus loves them then well, that bright purple that Tony, my hairdresser put there will be well worth it.

The Apostle Paul did some outrageous things, too. Of course I don’t think he had purple hair. But in his day and time, being bold for Jesus was something that just wasn’t done. Yet he traveled near and far telling as many people as he could about Jesus. He made sure that he was willing to do things that would help those he was trying to reach notice him, so that he could encourage them. In other words, he became LIKE them in order to be able to talk about Jesus TO them. And he did it without compromising his faith. I want to be like that, too.

“…Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some…” ~1 Corinthians 9:22b, NLT

Several years ago, at a week-long youth missions event with my daughters, I heard one of the campus speakers explain to the kids how to get people to allow us to tell them about Jesus. What she said has stuck with me, one of the adult chaperons nonetheless, for over ten years;

You have to meet people’s needs

in order to earn the right

to share yourself.

Earning the right to share Jesus with people. It may sound crazy, but if you can find common ground with others…whether it’s mismatched socks, knowing how it feels to be homeless, or sick, or how it feels to lose someone you love. Or even having purple hair. You have opened the door to the life of someone else who is hurting and in need of some hope. You have that Hope. His name is Jesus.

Yes, the purple hair is a bit outrageous. But it is pretty! And if my purple hair catches the attention of others causing them to come up and talk to me, that is all the more reason to keep it… along with the mismatched socks. Hey, whatever it takes.

Shelley Wilburn

Shelley Wilburn has been writing since the age of twelve. She loves stories and adventures, and often finds herself getting into mischief with any one of her six grandchildren. She has written several articles and devotionals over the years for various newspapers, women's magazines, and newsletters. She has also co-authored devotionals. Shelley began writing full-time in 2012 after being healed of over 40 years of depression and anxiety. Using her love of writing, and wearing mismatched socks, Shelley has developed a unique ministry of encouraging others using biblical truths and stories from her own personal life. When not writing, you can find Shelley and her husband of over 30 years, D.A. zipping down the road in their newest adventure-maker, a bright orange, Mustang convertible Shelley has laughingly dubbed The Pony.