Fix Your Face

On Friday afternoon, I was leaving work and hurrying to make two stops in order to start my weekend.  About a mile from my office, I needed to change lanes, so I signaled, but the SUV next to me was slowing down and trying to merge into my lane.  I gassed it, sped around him jumped into the lane in front of him.  Moments later, at the next stop light, my phone chimed with a text.  “Hey Friend, that was me you just frowned at in traffic.”  How could I reply?  This was a friend I had not seen in 2-3 years, and in my impatience, I just mean-mugged him!  Instead of replying with a text I called, laughing and apologizing.  

On Saturday morning, I was attending a women’s conference at a local church, as a vendor.  We were asked to arrive by 7:00am to set up our tables.  It was 7:03 as I pulled into the parking lot behind a car that stopped, blocking the way, two women climbed out and started unpacking their car.  I sat in my car as more time passed, I didn’t wave, I just sat and tried to be patient as they made me even later.  Inside, our tables were assigned side by side.  They were the sweetest two ladies, missionaries that shared with me and inspired me throughout the day. 

Last week, I was speaking with one of the Vice Presidents of York Technical College.  We have known one another for a long time.  He told me that the President of the College asked him if I was a happy person.  He said he told her that as far as he knew, I was very happy, serious, but happy!  That puzzled me - why would she think I wasn’t a happy person - I’ve only spoken with her once - what would that be a question?  Oh…on that day, I was wearing what I thought was a nice outfit, but I didn’t see the email that came at 6pm telling us to wear a specific shirt.  When the President walked up to me to introduce herself, I was embarrassed that I didn’t have on the right shirt.  I was worried that I would be known as someone who does not follow instructions (which, could be true).  I suppose, my body language indicated me to be an unhappy person.  Wow. 

There are two passages of Scripture I know of, that speak about facial expressions.  Read them below.  
~Isaiah 3:9 NIV
The look on their faces testifies against them: they parade their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it.  Woe to them!  They have brought disaster upon themselves. 
~Acts 6:15 NIV
All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Notice the contrast of these scriptures.  The prophet Isaiah is writing of the destruction that was to fall on Judah and Jerusalem.  In 3:1, he says the Lord is about to take both supply and support.  In 3:9 he says how their faces testify against them.  I imagine they must have taken pride in their sin as the men of Sodom and Gomorrah did as they boldly begged Lot to send out the men so they could “know” them. (Gen. 19:5)  

In Acts 6:8, Luke described Stephen as being “a man full of God’s grace and power, who performed great wonders and signs among the people.”  Stephen spoke from the Holy Spirit and it angered many of the teachers of the law, who insisted he testify before the Sanhedrin.  As he began, Luke says his face was like that of an angel.  I cannot say for sure that I’ve seen an angel before, but I would imagine that an angelic face would be calm, pleasant, pleasing, and maybe glowing!  As the story continues, Stephen testified and it angered the members of Sanhedrin who became (v.54) “furious and gnashed their teeth at him.”  They then (v.57-58) “covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him.”  We see that even in the face of severe adversity, when he knew his life was in danger, Stephen didn’t allow it to show on his face.  He stood strong for Jesus and testified using the words of the Holy Spirit.  

Our facial expressions can testify against us, or they can testify for us.  Either way, our face shows our heart.  I am ashamed of myself.  On three recent occasions, I’ve allowed my lack of patience, poor time management, annoyance, humiliation, embarrassment, and lack of faith to show on my face.  I need to do better.  I am SO not an unhappy person!  I LOVE the Lord!  I love my family!  I am a proud grandma to my 4 month-old healthy and normal grandson!  An unhappy person - not me!  Do I tend to run late - yes!  Do I get annoyed in traffic - yes!  Do I check work email after I leave work - not usually, but I could start!  Should I allow those “personal issues” to interfere with my testimony, my ability to share the gospel, because the look on my face is less than inviting - NO!  Lord, I ask you to fix my face, that I can always testify to your goodness and love.  Amen!