The Ministry of Faces
It is not a matter of indifference how we appear when we move among people. We carry an unconscious message in our faces all the while wherever we go. We do not know what hurt we may do to others if this message is not one of cheer and hope.
When Margaret Fuller was a child, she said she used to sit in church and look at the worshipers, watching for the expression in their faces of the graces of religion of which they spoke and sang. But she was disappointed often. She did not see in them the peace, the gladness, the love she looked for. It seemed to the sensitive child, that these men and women never thought of anything above the tasks and cares of the day. She never forgot the hurt she received then, and in her own womanhood, in times of sadness, she prayed earnestly that she might not harm others by revealing her depression, but that always in her face she might have a message of cheer for all who saw her, and might never cast on any life the shadow of discouragement.
We are responsible for our faces. We owe it to our Master to make them mirrors of His beauty and gladness.
A group of girls were laughing and chatting together over some pictures. One of them had been to a photographer, and was showing some “proofs” of herself in varied poses.
“Look at this one,” she said. “Did you ever see a more scowling and woe-begone creature? And the photographer actually said it was a good likeness, and wanted to finish it up. I suppose I did wear that expression just then, but what a picture to give one’s friends to remember one by!”
But to how many friends has she given that very expression, printing on their memories a picture of that discontented, uncomfortable self that she now condemns so nonchalantly in the photographer’s proof? We are careful of the pictures and photographs we bestow upon our friends. We want them to represent us at our best. But, oh, the views of ourselves we leave all unconsciously on the memories of neighbors and friends every day!
The fretful look when trifles irritated us; the cold indifference when some longing eye sought in our features for an expression of sympathy; the smile that held a touch of ridicule where there should have been reverence; the angry scowl when some unpleasant duty was suggested—these unflattering expressions make pictures that last.
No one can tell the full value of a bright, sunny face. One writes:
Next to the sunlight of heaven, is the cheerful face. There is no mistaking it—the bright eye, the unclouded brow, the sunny smile, all tell of that which dwells within. Who has not felt its electrifying influence in meeting some man who always lives victoriously, with heaven’s light shining on his countenance? One glance at his face lifts us out of the mists and shadows—into the glad realm of hope. One cheerful face in a household will keep everything bright and warm within. A host of evil passions may lurk about the door, but they never enter to abide there; the cheerful face will put them to shame and flight.
It is not easy always to wear the encouraging, uplifting face. When sorrow has left its wounding in our hearts, it is no light task to keep the gloom out of our countenances. Yet we need not stoically hide away our hurts and wear a mere mask of cheerfulness, for Christ came “to heal the brokenhearted.” (Luke 4:18) We have no right to cast the shadow of gloom on any other life, and we may find that by looking unto Jesus, He will give us joy for mourning and praise for heaviness (Isaiah 61:3). When we suffer, we should suffer victoriously, so that our faces may show, even in tears, the light of an overcoming faith.
Those who in this world look upon the face of Christ and receive its brightness and glory upon their own faces, will at last behold that face in glory with unveiled eyes. The Book of Revelation tells us that the redeemed in heaven “shall see his face!” (Revelation 22:4) There will be no veils and shadows there; “we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3:2)
“Jesus, these eyes have never seen
That radiant form of Thine;
The veil of sense hangs dark between
Thy blessed face and mine.
“When death these mortal eyes shall seal,
And still this throbbing heart,
The rending veil shall Thee reveal
All glorious as Thou art!”*