Let it show!

I sat on my porch swing several years ago thinking and praying to myself when a young man with whom I had made an acquaintance walked by. The sidewalk was only about six feet from where I sat so I wasn’t surprised when he stopped to say, “Hi.” What did surprise me was what he said after I returned his greeting; “You don’t look very happy,” he said, “What’s wrong with you?”

I had not thought about the look my face as I sat enjoying the cool evening. Within my heart I felt at peace; no crisis, fear or worry was pressing in my thoughts. Yet my countenance did not reflect my heart; the expression on my face needed to change.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Philippians 4:4 (NIV)

It may seem odd to you that a man held prisoner and chained to a Roman soldier would encourage us to rejoice—not only to say it once, but to repeat himself for emphasis. I don’t imagine that Paul was ever asked by his guard, “Why are you so down today?” Paul had learned the secret of rejoicing in the Lord regardless of what his circumstances may be. Paul could live a joyful life because he knew that regardless of what may happen from day to day Jesus would be right there with him. Paul did not see himself as a prisoner of Rome, but a “prisoner for the Lord”—“His prisoner” (Ephesians 4:1; see also 2 Timothy 1:8).

Paul encouraged the church of Philipi to rejoice and be joyful several times. Like us they probably needed the reminder. We can so easily let life get us down—even in the little things, and we forget that Jesus has set us free from sin and death. The Lord is by our side and we can rejoice in Him always.

When that young man said I looked down, I asked the Lord to help me change the look on my face. I didn’t want people to think I was an unhappy grump. Several weeks later that same young man walked by again as I was enjoying the porch swing again. Again he stopped to say, “Hi,” but this time he added, “Boy you look happy tonight.” God had answered my prayer; my expression matched my heart.

Years later this is still my prayer. “Lord, help me to reflect the joy you have given to me.” Many people see Christians as unhappy and stiff. If that’s what a Christian is, I don’t want it. Jesus overflowed with joy. Shouldn’t we do the same?