A few weeks ago I was at a large ladies event. The meetings were powerful, and the worship was unbelievable. I was ecstatic! What a heady experience!
Then it was time to go to the ladies room. Of course, there are scores of women walking in and out that place. I was walking on air, smiling at everyone…and hardly anyone smiled back! Some even glared at me! Really?
Maybe the ladies room wasn’t the place to make a personal connection? I don’t know…
But it made me think.
Proverbs 27:19, “As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person.”
Matthew 12:35, “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart.”
There is also another saying, “our eyes are the windows to our soul.”
So, what do we see looking back when we look in the mirror…be it in the mirror on our own wall, or in the eyes of someone else? I don’t think that many of us have a clue what our outward expression tells the world. I was told, often, that I looked cranky, and I should put a more pleasant face on. A passenger once told me, when I asked him if he’d like something else, “a smile would be nice.” Ouch!!
If the eyes are the reflection of what is going on inside, wouldn’t it make sense to assume that a constantly cranky expression is an indication that something isn’t good inside? What should our eyes as christians reflect? I would hope that my eyes would reflect the glory and love of Jesus. His acceptance. His gentleness. His kindness. His humour…yes, I believe He has a great sense of humour! His truth!
Yes, it’s hard sometimes. Life is messy, and tiring. I know. But it’s also a journey of hope, faith and love. We all want those things. We all need those things.
2 Corinthians 3:16-18, “But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Sprit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord-who is the Spirit-makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image.”
“Turns to the Lord”
“Freedom”
“Veil removed”
“Reflect”
“Changed”
“Image”
That’s a pretty clear message.
How does one do this? Pursuing Jesus is so hard sometimes. We have so many earthly issues to deal with. We can’t control others, the economy, or the hardships that life throws at us. We can’t fathom the simplicity of faith. It gets convoluted in all the stuff and the striving that we are hardwired to do.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus…He is the only answer. That’s the only answer we have. Helpless surrender. Worship. Quit striving. Immerse yourself in Him.
Soon your eyes will reflect the peace, love and joy that only He can bring.