When our granddaughter Sarah was very young, she explained to me what happens when you die: Only your face goes to heaven, not your body. You get a new body, but keep the same face.
Sarahs concept of our eternal state was a childs understanding, of course, but she did grasp an essential truth. In a sense, our faces are a visible reflection of the invisible soul.
My mother used to say that an angry look might someday freeze on my face. She was wiser than she knew. A worried brow, an angry set to our mouths, a sly look in our eyes may reveal a miserable soul. On the other hand, kind eyes, a gentle look, a warm and welcoming smiledespite wrinkles, blemishes, and other disfigurementsbecome the marks of inner transformation.
We cant do much about the faces we were born with, but we can do something about the kind of person were growing into. We can pray for humility, patience, kindness, tolerance, gratefulness, forgiveness, peace, and love (Galatians 5:2226).
By Gods grace, and in His time, may you and I grow toward an inner resemblance to our Lord, a likeness reflected in a kind, old face. Thus, as English poet John Donne (15721631) said, age becomes loveliest at the latest day.
INSIGHT
Policemen, firemen, doctors, and nurses put on clothes that distinctively identify them. What about the Christian? What distinguishes us as followers of Jesus? Paul tells us to clothe [ourselves] with the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 13:14). Earlier in Romans Paul says, God predestined [us] to be conformed to the image of his Son (8:29). It was Gods intention when He saved us that we would become like His Son. Our spiritual transformation is a process, however (2 Corinthians 3:18). The Holy Spirit works in us to increasingly make us more like Christ (1 John 3:2). To be like Jesus is to be like Godtruly righteous and holy (Ephesians 4:24 nlt). Our transformation will only be fully completed at the second coming of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:4953).
As you reflect on your spiritual transformation since coming to Jesus, in what areas have you seen growth? Can others say, I can see Christ in you?