Ever think about the fact that other people’s faces are mirrors for us. My wife and kid’s faces are my biggest mirrors. There have been times when I didn’t know, until I looked into their faces, that I was acting like a dork. I didn’t need to hear them moan, “Daaaad”, to get the point. The look on their face made it crystal clear for me. Of course, there have also been times when I knew, before I saw the hurt in their eyes, that I had said something hurtful. Their faces simply confirmed for me that I had stepped over the line.
We watch for the reaction of others to our behaviors. That is how we figure out which of our behaviors is disgusting, mean, kind, arousing, offensive and so on. We know when a person is “being real”, more by their facial expressions and behaviors, than by their words. Of course, the face can be used to fool people as well. Sometimes we refer to another as having “an honest face”, only to find out later, that we shouldn’t always accept things at “face value” which may lead us to feeling like getting in the other’s face.
The human face is so marvelous, an absolute miracle and testimony to God’s creative genius. When God created Eve, he called her a “suitable helper” for Adam. In Hebrew the word helper/ezer means to do for another what they cannot do for themselves, and the word suitable/kenegdo means facing the other as in being “a mirror opposite”. Hold your hand up, palms forward, in front of the mirror and the reflection facing you will be its’ opposite. The idea here has to do with reflection. Simply put, people’s response to us should reflect the impact we have had on them. The more others in my life will face me, with honesty, the more self aware I become. Likewise, when people consistently turn away from others and never accept honest, caring, constructive criticism, we say they are only fooling themselves. They should probably take an honest look in the mirror.
That is also why the Bible tells us to not lie to each other. When we deceive others, we are turning our backs on them, and defacing human relationships. The bottom line is that we were designed to live life face to face. God’s design for us is that we also live face to face with Him. I’m sure that if I was able to see the look on God’s face, in response to all my thoughts, language, and behavior, I would see His sadness more clearly than I could handle. However, as His son, I know I will never see a look of condemnation. Turning towards Jesus warms the face, while turning our back to him, leaves us facing only the dark shadow we cast on the opposite wall. Standing to face the Son is the only way we will ever be able to see him “face to face”. Verse 2 of 1 John chapter 3says, “we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is”. Turning to face God is always better than having God in your face.
Kasey VanderVeen, Pastor
Good News Fellowship Church
Winnipeg MB