READ:
Isaiah 53
Beholding...the glory of the Lord,[we] are being transformed into the same image.
-2 Corinthians 3:18
The renowned Quaker scholar Rufus Jones was speaking of the importance of having a radiant countenance.After his address, a woman "with an almost unbelievably plain face" came up and asked him what he would do if he had a face like hers.
He replied,"While I have troubles of my own of that kind,I've discovered that if you light it up from within,any old face you have is good enough."
Our culture places great value on beauty and brawn.Attractive women win beauty contests.And men spend long hours and many dollars building brawny bodies.Ordinary people often don't get noticed.
God takes a different view of all this.When we trust Jesus as Savior,a change takes place in our hearts.And as we seek to obey Him,an inner beauty increasingly shines from our face.
Jesus is referred to as the One in whom "there is nobeauty that we should desire Him"(Is. 53:2).Yet I know of no more "beautiful" person.And the more we imitate Him-His way of speaking,thinking,and acting-the more His likeness will take shape in our lives.
When Jesus is at home in a person's heart,even the most ordinary face shines with the beauty that comes from within.
Beautiful faces are those that seem
With the very love of God to beam;
Beautiful forms are those that grace
With gentle service the lowliest place-Anon.
*****
NOTHING CAN DIM THE BEAUTY THAT SHINES FROM WITHIN.