Monday, November 1, 2010

Inside Out

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and
slander be put away from you.

Ephesians 4:31

My eyes, actually my whole face, usually tells everyone exactly what I’m feeling! I wish it wasn’t so but I just can’t seem to hide what lives inside. When I sit in an airport I like to people watch and I’ve stopped being shocked at what I see. I’ve seen plenty of fearful eyes, bitter eyes, empty eyes, angry eyes. But occasionally I have seen eyes whose obvious contentment has refreshed me.

Whatever I have set up house for in my soul, whether anger or bitterness, peace or joy, it ultimately finds its way out the door of my eyes as well as my mouth. God created me as a living being with my physical, emotional and spiritual lives intricately connected. It is impossible to keep hidden whatever I take in on a regular basis. It’s like overeating! Eventually I don’t need the scale because the results are all too obvious in the mirror.

Jesus was surrounded by Pharisees angry about how he was upsetting their traditions. But he never succumbed, even to the point of his death, to their anger. Paul reminds me of this truth. To be a follower of Jesus I have to throw away all those emotions that make my eyes and mouths less than satisfying to see or hear.

Bitterness, anger, clamor and slander are everywhere. But I have the message of the Kingdom! I pray I can make a difference when the Kingdom Message is all that people can read on my face. Let my eyes shine!

Jesus, You brought the message of the Kingdom--
bringing joy, promise, hope and love.
Help me to evict all that prevents your
Kingdom message from being seen and heard.
Amen.

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