A Face Full of Jesus
My Sabbatical continues to be a great time of renewing and refreshing. I’ve done lots of praying, in silence, and reading, both in the Bible and 3 books (so far). God has spoken to me on multiple issues. He’s spoken in so many different ways with two primary ways being the Bible and other people.
God confirmed something He’s been teaching me in the Message version of Matthew 11:28-30 through one of His people this past Sunday. First let me share that passage of Scripture:
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
God has been drawing me to this part of the passage - “Walk with me and work with me – learned the unforced rhythms of grace – keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” In my time off, I’ve recognized I haven’t been living freely and lightly. Beth confirmed it for me when she said I have been lighter – even sillier. The truth is that I have normally been a free – light – silly guy.
I’ve had to come face to face with the truth that I’ve been allowing my responsibilities as a pastor to be heavy and ill-fitting. Jesus said He wouldn’t lay anything on me like that. God called me to Goshen, so the calling shouldn’t be the source of heaviness. I’ve had to reexamine how I’ve been doing ministry. I’ve been spending time asking Him to help me see how I can walk with Him and work with Him so I live freely and lightly.
This was confirmed for me in a conversation this past Sunday while I was watching the parade with our cleanup crew and waiting our turn. One of our people came up and asked me how the sabbatical had been going. I replied. “It’s been great.” This person then commented, “I’m so glad to hear that. I was so concerned for you before the sabbatical. I could just see the stress in your face.” I’m incredibly thankful for that bit of truth and grace. It confirmed what Jesus has been teaching me, although inside I felt this “uuuggghhh” when I heard it. I don’t want to be known for the stress you can see in my face. I want to be known for the Jesus you can see in me.
The piece below titled, Personal Radiance, was sent to me by Jay Benson. It was written by one of his college professors and longtime friend, Roger Schoenhals. It sums up what is bubbling up in my heart.
God confirmed something He’s been teaching me in the Message version of Matthew 11:28-30 through one of His people this past Sunday. First let me share that passage of Scripture:
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
God has been drawing me to this part of the passage - “Walk with me and work with me – learned the unforced rhythms of grace – keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” In my time off, I’ve recognized I haven’t been living freely and lightly. Beth confirmed it for me when she said I have been lighter – even sillier. The truth is that I have normally been a free – light – silly guy.
I’ve had to come face to face with the truth that I’ve been allowing my responsibilities as a pastor to be heavy and ill-fitting. Jesus said He wouldn’t lay anything on me like that. God called me to Goshen, so the calling shouldn’t be the source of heaviness. I’ve had to reexamine how I’ve been doing ministry. I’ve been spending time asking Him to help me see how I can walk with Him and work with Him so I live freely and lightly.
This was confirmed for me in a conversation this past Sunday while I was watching the parade with our cleanup crew and waiting our turn. One of our people came up and asked me how the sabbatical had been going. I replied. “It’s been great.” This person then commented, “I’m so glad to hear that. I was so concerned for you before the sabbatical. I could just see the stress in your face.” I’m incredibly thankful for that bit of truth and grace. It confirmed what Jesus has been teaching me, although inside I felt this “uuuggghhh” when I heard it. I don’t want to be known for the stress you can see in my face. I want to be known for the Jesus you can see in me.
The piece below titled, Personal Radiance, was sent to me by Jay Benson. It was written by one of his college professors and longtime friend, Roger Schoenhals. It sums up what is bubbling up in my heart.
Personal Radiance
Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame (Psalm 34:5 NIV).
When Moses descended the mountain, the people of Israel could not look at his face. He had to wear a veil to keep from blinding them. That's radiance.
I've never met a Moses, but I once met a lady named Alta. She was bedridden with crippling arthritis. When I entered her room as a young pastor, I found her barely able to speak. Her body was gnarled and disfigured by the horrible disease. But her face, her face! It shown with radiance I had never seen before.
I read Alta some Scripture and offered prayer, trying in my fumbling way to minister to her needs. But all the while it was I who received the blessing. She showed me the beauty of Jesus in the midst of pain and knotted joints.
John, on the Isle of Patmos, saw a solar Jesus. "His face," wrote John, "was like the sun shining in all its brilliance." When we spend time gazing upon Jesus, when we "look full in his wonderful face," we are changed "from one degree to another."
For years, when I read the words in Hebrews exhorting us to "look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith," I found myself gazing at the back of his head, as though he were leading me along the path of life. But then I realized he is facing me and holding out his arms, encouraging me onward toward Him. I see his face and hear his voice, "Come on, Roger, you can do it. Just a little longer. Hang in there. Keep pressing toward me. I've got a place here all ready for you. Keep looking to me."
We can try all sorts of things to spiff up our personalities and make ourselves attractive to others, but nothing is more magnetic and persuasive for the Kingdom of Heaven than a face full of Jesus.
- Roger Schoenhals
I want to keep looking into the face of Jesus as I press on towards Him. I want to give others a face full of Jesus.
What about you? Is life heavy and ill-fitting for you or free and light? Are you giving others a face full of Jesus or a face full of stress? How can you live and work with Jesus so you learn the unforced rhythms of grace that show up in your face?
You are loved!
