Face to Face

Imagine the eyes of a child.... with a look ofjoy, playing with a puppy or opening presents.Bright eyes, wide smile. Or those same eyes, pained or scared.

Imagine the eyes of a parent, or a spouse..... eyes twinkling with laughter, or sharing a knowing glance. Or those same eyes when hurt or disappointed.

Sometimes an expression and eyes can say so much, and cut to a person’s core.

Several years ago two men I knew passed away within weeks of each other. Both were Christians. One man had lived a hard life, full of struggles and pain, including burying one of his children. He was a common laborer by trade, and was a man of faith. His eyes could smile, but often they showed wear and pain through his strength. He passed away in his late 70s.

The other man was in the ministry, and though his life knew pain and loss, he led a blessed life. His eyes had cried, but more often they had twinkled. He loved the Lord , and lived to his mid 90s. After both had died I thought about them meeting Jesus for the first time in heaven, and being “face-to-face” with their Savior. What His eyes must have said. What His face must have reflected to each. Both loved God more than anything, and I’m sure His eyes reflected His pride in their faithfulness.

Sometimes we think of heaven as a distant place, and things are unclear. But we will stand “face-to-face” with Jesus. I wonder what we will see in His eyes when we stand in front of Him. Will we see pride in His eyes for our faithfulness? Or will we see a glimpse of how much more there could have been? As the things we did on this earth are put to fire, will we see disappointment over how we wasted our time, money and vision? Or His pleasure with the results?

Imagine the eyes of your Savior.....