Proverbs 15:30. The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the bones.
My wife and I have been watching the TV show, Downton Abbey. It’s the story of the Lord Grantham family and their servants all living together in a giant mansion in the early 1900s. One of the servants, Miss O’Brien, is the antithesis of Proverbs 15:30. In the three seasons of the show that we’ve watched, Miss O’Brien has never once smiled. Her face has always been stone cold in every scene; it never rejoices the heart that’s for sure. And on top of that, she never really says anything good. She insults, manipulates, and discourages all with dark eyes revealing a dark soul.
Are you a Miss O’Brien? Have you ever thought about what your face looks like? No, I don’t mean how good looking you are, I mean your facial expressions. What this proverb calls the light of the eyes. If the eyes are the window to the soul, what kind of soul do your eyes reveal?
The second line of our proverb makes more sense to us – good news is refreshing. Have you ever gotten good news at just the time you needed it? At a time of discouragement? Good news can give us that extra boost of energy that we need in the middle of a difficult day (or a difficult life). Good news can literally give energy to the weary and health to the sick.
But just as important as good news is the countenance of the person bearing the good news. Do they have a light in their eyes? Smiles. Eye contact. Raised eyebrows. Joy in the heart makes for joy on the face. And that expression of joy can bring joy to the hearts of others who need it. Joy is contagious, and it starts on the face. When we approach someone with light in our eyes and with good news, it has the power to bring rejoicing and refreshing to that person. Especially if they have been feeling down and discouraged.
Never underestimate the power of a smile. Never discount the power of living face to face with others. Looking each other in the eye, the window of the soul. That is how we are to live with God, coram deo, face to face, and that is how we are to live with one another. Like Moses coming off the mountain of God with a shining face, bright with the glory of God’s presence, we who live in the presence of Christ should reflect his face in our own faces. In Jesus, we have looked into his eyes of love and found grace everlasting. We have heard the good news of his cross and it has refreshed our weary bones.
May the love and grace of God in Christ translate to our own faces, our eyes, our words. May our mouths open to speak the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ, while our faces reflect his mercy and kindness to all who come face to face with us.
In Christ there is no shortage of joy. There is always a reason to have the light of Christ in our eyes and the good news on our lips. Circumstances may try to steal our joy, pain may darken our eyes for a moment, and discouragement and fear can silence our message. What then? Look at the face of Jesus, my friend. See the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Here is invitation to come and find rest for your weary soul. Let his light shine into your night, and be glad.
You: What does your face look like? Do you reflect the joy of the Lord in your face?
You in Christ: Do you really believe that you have access to all joy every day in Christ?
Christ in you: Repeat after me: Bright eyes. Good news. In Christ. Can’t lose.
Pray: Father, as I live face to face with you, may your love and mercy be reflected in my eyes and in the good news of Jesus Christ shared with others. Amen.
To Live is Christ 