He experienced a late-in-life conversion. Or maybe it was an epiphany. It was something.
He quit his job. Started a ministry. Was religious.
Funny thing. He never smiled. His face was in a perpetual mild scowl. There was neither joy nor peace reflected in his face.
Rather than attract people, his countenance rather pushed people away.
Do you ever observe people and try to tell from their appearance/posture/face what their personality is like? You look and think, Whoa, I wouldn’t want to be married to that person!
Or like a salesman only out for the next sale who smiles with only his lips? Those are dangerous people.
Or there is the super attractive person. Well, attractive until they open their mouth.
How great it is to meet someone who smiles. Who greets you warmly. Who, even when they are concentrating on something else and you see them, still have an appearance of restful contentment.
There are people who think Jesus was political. Or to be a Jesus follower we must be political. And pursue politics of divisiveness.
But Jesus turned all that stuff on its head. He criticized those for their outward displays of being religious–who smiled with their lips and not their eyes. He said it’s all about the state of the heart. And Paul later listed the fruit you’ll show and feel when you are in the spirit. Peace and joy–these should be reflected in a follower’s appearance. Not hardness, divisiveness, scowling, frowning.
Makes me afraid to look in a mirror.
Faith Venture 
July 14, 2017 at 10:24 am |
Ouch, I don’t want to look either – which obviously means I should! Thanks for the reminder