I think that was the lesson that day and for those circumstances. But it was only part of the lesson. The full lesson is this (Philippians 4:12-13):
I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Last April was far from prosperity, but it was a far safer place than where God had taken me in previous years. It was also a safer place than where I am at the moment. Perhaps that's not something I should say "out loud." But I'm saying it anyway. My beloved all-wise King has not chosen to release me from this season of hitting financial walls. Not yet, anyway. It could happen tomorrow, I suppose. But let's just say my movement forward is not in as straight a line as I had hoped.
Was the lesson of last spring premature? No, it was right on the mark. Because the key words of this lesson are found at the end of verse 13: "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Sometimes, like last April, "doing all things" includes learning to stop looking at yourself in a way that assumes defeat. Other times, like now, "doing all things" involves learning deeper lessons about wholly trusting God.
As you may have noticed, I've been asking God a lot of questions recently. How did Jesus pray? for example. I want to know how the Christian life works, right down to its nitty-gritty reality, so I'm looking to the only One who's ever lived a perfect Christian life. Not to take notes and hope to imitate Him, but to try to gain access to what He revealed through His own earthly walk, and through what is revealed about His nature throughout Scripture. Jesus rarely said anything that was simply what it sounded like on the surface. He sowed seeds. He buried spiritual treasure that people can only access if they seek it with their whole heart.
You've likely already worked out from the title that there's a second haircut story. In the previous story, I had gotten cocky and cut my hair without looking in the mirror. The last lesson I mentioned in my post in April may actually have been the most important one: "Never try to predict or contain Jesus. He may do something one way one day and in a completely different way the next day. He knows exactly what we need in the moment."
My more recent haircut story is sort of the reverse of the earlier one. I caught a scary glimpse of myself and just said, "...Lord?" "Let's go upstairs to the mirror," He said.
And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:19)
Yes, I know, my Love. In every circumstance. Unfathomable treasure, most often revealed one tiny gem at a time.