What Do You See?

—Psalm 34:5

In college, I remember sitting in the lobby area at an historic hotel used to house students. The Stewart Arm’s Hotel was majestic.  As I was studying (a rarity), one of my friends sat down next to me and his face was radiant.  Art had just spent a lengthy time alone with God and his face reflected resting in God’s righteousness.  That image left an indelible impression on me.

Our faces are a reflection of our souls.  Friends can tell when we are tired.  Our expressions evidence our emotion.  We radiate when we rejoice and we sulk when we are sad.

As part of being created in God’s image, our faces mirror the worship of our Master and His work in our lives.  Those around can see Jesus . . . or the absence of Him . . . just by looking at us.  Too often, though, our face does not reflect our faith . . . the joy unspeakable is no longer full of glory. Our Savior is no longer seen.

The psalmist reminds us of an incredible truth . . . when we look at God, we radiate.  Spending time in His presence is seen in our presentation.  Look at us . . . and, you should see Jesus.

Faces That Shine.  I remember when our girlls would wear “glitter” for special events.  Inevitably, whenever I would hug them, the glitter would get on me.  It’s the same with God.  The more time we reside in His presence, the more we reflect His essence.  Simply out, God rubs off on us.  Paul described it like this, “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”   (2 Cor 3:18)  We are being transformed . . . the same image from glory to glory.

Faces With No Sorrow.   Thomas Moore (1779-1852) wrote, “Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal.”  Our faces usually bear the burden of the one we are carrying.  Paul wrote, “The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).   We have hope . . . we have help . . . we have Heaven.  The psalmist reminds us, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5).

Faces With No Shame.  We are understood by God because of His unconditional love.  Seeing ourselves as God sees us . . . clothed in His righteousness . . . cleansed by His blood . . . confirmed by His Spirit . . . separated from all shame.  Paul encouraged the Christ-followers in Corinth, “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Cor 5:21)  god no longer sees our sin . . . He no longer sees our shame . . . He only sees His Son.

Remember the children’s song, “If you’re happy and you know it, then you’re face will surely show it.  If you’re happy and you know it, say ‘Amen'”?  For some of us, it’s time to say “Amen.”