Your Hat Teaches You!
July 20, 2023
Your Hat Teaches You!
A friend in seminary (a four-year graduate school for pastors) told me that the girl he was dating wanted him to change. Although she did not want him to change a whole lot of things, he was still concerned.
As he described her request, it became apparent she did not like my friend’s appearance when he wore a hat. It was going to be a difficult adjustment, because my friend wore a ball cap all the time.
I asked why his hat wearing behavior bothered her. He smiled and repeated her words; “When you put a ball cap on, your IQ goes down about 30 points!” Then, my friend added; “Doug, I can’t afford to look any less intelligent than I already am!!”
Because he loved her, he wore a hat much less frequently. Hats protect our skin from the harmful rays of the sun. Hats keep the bright sun out of our eyes so we can see. Hats (with logos) make a statement about that which we value or enjoy. But, there is more!
Your hat can teach you something about Jesus, the Son of God!
In I Corinthians 11, the Apostle Paul addresses the topic of head coverings for men and women during worship. Obviously, differing opinions on the matter had risen in the church at Corinth. In his letter to the church, Paul takes a moment to address the argument.
Paul says women should wear head coverings in worship while the men should not practice this tradition. Although the veil wore by women in the first century is not the same as a hat wore by women in the 21st century, it seems the latter is an attempt to honor the former.
There was a time in the southern states of our country that many of the women and little girls wore hats (and white gloves) to worship. This tradition was especially true on Easter Sunday. The first time I saw all the hats (and gloves) in worship, I did not understand the tradition.
Then, I moved from a small farming town in the South to a small farming and ranching town in the Midwest. I noticed something; almost every man I met was wearing a ball cap.
Your hat can teach you something about Jesus, the Son of God!
Recently, I read the passage in I Corinthians 11 several times. Each time, I asked the Holy Spirit to teach me something about something other than wearing hats.
I noticed that Paul begins this section of I Corinthians by clarifying the foundation for what he is about to say. In I Corinthians 11:3 Paul writes; “But I want you to understand that Christ is the head…”
This truth is easy to ignore, to underestimate, and to corrupt. And yet, as Paul speaks about covering our heads (let’s think “hats”) during worship, he focuses on three important things;
+We are the reflection (image) of God! (I Corinthians 11:7)
+Our authority is Jesus! (I Corinthians 11:10)
+Christ-followers give glory to God! (I Corinthians 11:15)
In order to remember what a hat teaches me about Jesus, I have committed to memory three words; reflection, authority, and glory.
When I submit to the authority of Jesus as Lord of my life, I become more committed to reflecting Jesus’ love to others, and give Jesus the glory for who He is and what He is doing.
When I live by these three practices, my life fills with more and more delight, more and more joy, and more and more wonder. My desire to surrender, to reflect, and to glorify can increase each day.
I know a lot of people would rather focus on the differing roles of men and women in worship described in this text. I would rather seek the deeper principles that invite us into God-honoring worship and living with a Christ-like love.
Your hat can teach you something about Jesus, our Savior and Lord!
Today I invite you to…
…surrender to the authority of Jesus again.
…remember you are a reflection of Jesus for others.
…give glory to Jesus rather than seek your own glory.
Take Delight In The Lord!
Doug
Take Delight 