The power of joy can fix your face

Christians owe it to God to consider their face and make the necessary improvements.

I’m not talking about Botox, fillers, makeup, or using your napkin after a meal. I’m talking about the expressions on our faces that others see throughout the day.  

What does your face look like during church? Walking through the grocery store? Waiting in a line? Waiting at a stop light? Talking to a friend? Talking to someone who is definitely not a friend?  

What does your face look like when you aren’t thinking about it? That is a very real part of our daily witness so it is worth considering. If our face doesn’t indicate our faith, then we should think about fixing it.  

Consider this: the power of joy can fix your face. 

Spiritual Botox 

According to this article, people in America spent more than $2.2 billion on Botox last year. I watched the red carpet show for the Academy Awards, and I’m pretty sure half of those dollars were spent in Hollywood! I didn’t even recognize some of the older actors and actresses. They did interviews, and the only part of their face that moved was their over-plumped lips. It was kind of eerie watching them speak. 

I’m not a big fan of all the cosmetic procedures that are now available. There is a huge profit for those who administer these procedures. Meanwhile, it’s getting more difficult to find a doctor who wants to treat our important health needs. We might need to evaluate our priorities just a bit. 

It’s okay to get old and it’s okay to get wrinkled. For Christians, it just means that you likely have wisdom, experience, and a shorter walk to the gates of heaven. Why would we want to erase our smile lines that indicate we have lived a life of joy and laughter? 

James, the half-brother of Jesus, prescribed some spiritual Botox. He said, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2–4). 

People earn their wrinkles by living a life full of trials and tests. Spiritual Botox is to count it all joy knowing even the tough times help us perfect our faith. Joy has the power to fix our faces into peaceful smiles as “steadfastness” has its “full effect.” When our face carries a smile, we can tell the world we are Christians who are “lacking in nothing” because our hope is in the Lord. 

Spiritual fillers 

I must confess that I knew “fillers” were popular, but I didn’t really know much about them. I googled and was amazed at the quantity of stuff that is now being injected into people’s faces. Fillers are expensive and very popular. I’m sixty-five years old and could probably benefit from a few fillers, but frankly I’m way too frugal (or cheap) to think it worth the time and money. 

This is the face God gave me, and I’m good with that. Maybe I’ll change my mind a decade from now, but so far I’m okay with my lines, wrinkles, etc. I’d rather have that money in my bank account. 

We have a spiritual “bank account” in addition to our earthly one. Each day we invest in this world and we invest in our treasure in heaven. Our faith will determine our earthly priorities and our eternal investments. The apostle Peter said, “Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:8–9). 

Every day there are moments when our face will reflect our faith. When are those moments for you? Is anyone else aware that your smile is sourced in the joy of your faith and the hope of your salvation? How can you help them see and know the Author of your joy? 

The glory of God is the best “filler” for our faith and for our face. When we believe in him, we “rejoice with joy that is inexpressible.” People will notice joy on your face more than they will notice a wrinkle or two! 

How do you obtain a spiritual facelift? 

The psalmist tells us how to obtain the fullness of joy for our face. He praised God, saying, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11). 

If you want or need a spiritual facelift, spend time in the holy presence of God. God will put a smile on your face because he will provide his joy to your life. Christians will one day dwell in his presence, but, for now, we need to make daily, frequent visits to the throne of heaven.  

God is “the God of hope” and faith is the spiritual “filler” our faces need. People will see the beauty of Christ within us, and that is our best witness to the world. 

Are you ready to fix your face? 

I close with these words from Paul. His wish for the church in Rome is my wish for all my readers today. Paul said, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” (Romans 15:13).  

I hope these words from a blog post put a smile on your face because they provided his joy to your soul. Now, carry that joy throughout your day and allow your face to reflect your faith to the world. I bet someone will comment on your smile today if you do!

What do you hope for?

I was able to get my first vaccine, and I drove home with a scheduled date for my second shot—and lots of hope. We have a lot to look forward to in the months ahead—probably. It is a unique joy when an unknowable hope becomes a reality.

I’m thrilled that I will be vaccinated and look forward to better times ahead. However, I am too often concerned about the trajectory of our culture. I can’t tolerate what I see happening on my television that God would never condone. I cringe when I see the abnormal being normalized. 

Sometimes hope is waiting for what we know will happen. At other times, we hope for things because we can’t know what the future holds.

DID JESUS HOPE? 

I just finished a long conversation with my theologian husband. I was writing this blog post on hope when I wondered, “Did Jesus ever hope for anything?” 

That question does not have an easy answer. At the end of a lot of research and a lot of thinking, we could only come up with one moment in Scripture that Jesus might have hoped like we hope.

Jesus was God incarnate. He knew God face-to-face. Jesus knew his purpose and knew God would fulfill that purpose. Jesus didn’t need hope for the future; he knew the future. 

Jesus never worried about an early death. Jesus never worried about losing his job. Jesus didn’t worry that his prayers wouldn’t be answered by God. Jesus didn’t ever worry or wonder about the future, so he didn’t spend time hoping. 

The only time in Scripture Jesus comes close to hoping and praying like we often do is in the garden of Gethsemane when he prayed, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42). 

Was Jesus hoping God would do something different? Was Jesus hoping those torches he was watching from the garden would turn and go another direction? Was Jesus hoping God would do for him what he had done for Abraham when he provided a ram on Mount Moriah? Did Jesus hope he wouldn’t have to be the sacrificial lamb? 

When we considered the entirety of Scripture, as best we can tell, that moment was the only time Jesus hoped for something else, something different. 

But, even in that hope, what Jesus most wanted was that God’s will would be accomplished.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FAITH AND HOPE 

I hung a poster in my room when I was a teenager that read, “‘Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen’ —Hebrews 11:1.” I remember I liked those words but always knew I didn’t really understand their meaning. I’m not completely sure I do today, but I will try. 

I guess you could say I have faith that I will get my second vaccine shot. The evidence is there. But, I hope the vaccine will mean I won’t ever get sick with COVID-19. We don’t have enough evidence yet for us to have complete faith in the shot. 

My faith in Christ’s resurrection is the reason I have the assurance of eternal life. Grace and forgiveness are gifts, guaranteed by Christ, because my faith is in him. I trust God’s word on the subject of salvation. But, I hope God gives me a long life and ministry here on earth. I have faith that God will grant me eternal life. I have hope that God will grant me a long life. 

WHEN WE HAVE TO SAY “IF” 

Jesus prayed in agony to his Father, saying, “If you are willing, remove this cup from me.” Jesus knew what was going to happen. Did he hope God would spare him the agony of physical pain and spiritual separation from God?

When we say to God “if you are willing,” it is a hope, not a promise. Paul understood the difference between hope and faith and explained it by saying, “Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience” (Romans 8:24–25).

Jesus hoped God would be “willing” but had faith in the perfection of God’s will. That is our example for hope in prayer and faith in God’s answers. 

WHAT DO YOU HOPE FOR? 

I hope COVID-19 will soon be eradicated. I hope my family will live long, productive lives. I hope that the power grid won’t ever fail again and leave us in the cold. I hope that God gives us cures for cancers and other diseases. I hope that the world will be a kinder, more thoughtful place. 

I hope the people I love will all choose Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and I hope that for others as well. And, I hope Jesus returns soon so that I can stop hoping for other things. 

But, my faith in God tells me that none of those hopes are promises. I know there is a difference between the things I hope for and the things I hope for in faith. I hope Jesus will come again soon. I have faith that Jesus will come again. 

FAITH—UNTIL HOPE ISN’T NEEDED 

I don’t know what you are hoping for today. I imagine there are some reading these words who hope the chemo will work or the surgery will be a success. I imagine there are some who have lost hope in God’s promises and others who are comforted by those same words.

Don’t ever allow anyone to tell you that the Christian life is easy. Christ didn’t come to make this life easy; he came to make eternal life possible. He came so that our faith could be more than hope. He came so our faith could become sight. Christians will spend eternity in heaven with hope fulfilled. 

Paul wrote, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” (Romans 15:13).

Never feel bad for hoping and praying that things will be easier. Jesus did that too. But, the next time “easy” isn’t God’s will, walk with faith in Jesus. He remembers his prayer in the garden and understands. 

Some hopes are unknowable. Faith knows what hope cannot.

You Might Be a Christian If . . . .

Jeff Foxworthy’s fame increased when he wrote jokes that began with “You might be a redneck if . . . .” 

By the way, my favorite was, “You might be a redneck if you ever made change from the offering plate.” 

I actually saw that happen one time!

So, on this hot Texas blogging day, this is where my thoughts took me. Who knows? Maybe these will make me famous—or not.

You Might Be a Christian If:

  • You understood, and can quote, Tim Tebow’s famous eye-black inscription. 
  • You ate at Chick-fil-A at least one time last week.
  • Your home looks like a Hobby Lobby ad.
  • You accidentally said “amen” after reciting the Pledge of Allegiance one time.
  • You stubbed your toe and said “Rats,” even if something else came to mind first.
  • You were content to sit in traffic last Sunday morning.
  • You switch the channel or mute the TV for most commercials.
  • You sometimes use the word fellowship in a sentence.
  • Your dog is named after someone in the Bible.
  • You often switch from the news to the Hallmark Channel.
  • You can sing Chris Tomlin’s version of “Amazing Grace.” 
  • You saw the movie that song is from.
  • You have studied Experiencing God at least once.
  • You know that Hezekiah is not a book of the Bible.
  • You thought Tim Tebow was the best quarterback.
  • You have at least one casserole carrier or bowl you use for “potlucks.”
  • You wistfully pictured a potluck after reading that last comment.
  • You know how to find the Book of Psalms in one easy step. (Just divide your Bible in half.)
  • You know what a 501(c)(3) is.
  • You were excited to learn that Chick-fil-A is adding macaroni and cheese to its menu.
  • You wondered how many of those mac and cheeses you’ll need to fill that potluck casserole.
  • You actually pray when you see the prayer list.
  • You feel increasingly out of touch with popular values.
  • You are made to feel unkind but know you aren’t.
  • You vote your conscience rather than your opinions.
  • You don’t just read Scripture, you experience the words.

I could probably write dozens more, but you get the picture. 

You were created for good works.

Our preachers (and this blogger) often quote Paul saying, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). 

I hope reading those comments made you smile, but I also hope they help you realize that you are living as “God’s workmanship” in our culture. 

All of the “little things” add up to this one thing: We were created in Christ Jesus to do good works in our world. We probably accomplish a lot of those good works just because we are the person Jesus has created us to become.

You know you are a Christian.

So, head out into the heat of this day with a smile on your face. 

Enjoy finding something special at Hobby Lobby to brighten your home or buy the new mac and cheese at Chick-fil-A. (Let me know how many you think it will take for my 8×12 Pyrex dish!) 

Filter some of the values in those Hallmark movies, but enjoy the fact they are mostly decent. 

Pray for the news, then turn the channel, knowing that God is still on his throne and nothing will ever change that fact. Because “if you know you are a Christian,” you know what the future holds in store for those who love the Lord. 

Be glad today that the Lord saved your soul, authors your sense of humor, and wants to bless and enrich your life with his joy. “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). 

If you want to read the whole psalm, I bet you know how to find it quickly! (Just divide your Bible in half.) 

Have a great week. 


The Happiest States in America

I read a USA Today article and was surprised to find that I don’t live in one of the happiest states in America. You probably don’t either. In fact, I was really surprised by the results I read in the article. 

Suffice it to say that the Bible Belt was excluded.

Which states made the top twenty? 

Here is the list of the happiest states, according to the survey. The list starts with twenty and ends with number one, the happiest state: 

  • 20. Florida – Of course! Most of the residents are retired and playing golf every day.
  • 19. Nevada – They obviously didn’t survey the people who just lost their paycheck at a casino.
  • 18. Nebraska – They must have done their survey in June, not February. 
  • 17. Massachusetts – They only surveyed baseball fans.
  • 16. Connecticut – It’s a really small state.
  • 15. Arizona – They probably surveyed the snowbirds in February.
  • 14. California – Beaches, Hollywood, and Disneyland. My home state. I’m good with this one.
  • 13. Washington – It is a beautiful state—if you can catch it on an unrainy day.
  • 12. Minnesota – Another beautiful state. I liked this choice.
  • 11. New Hampshire – See my comment on Connecticut.
  • 10. North Dakota – No comment.
  • 9. South Dakota – See above.
  • 8. Delaware – A really, really small state.
  • 7. Vermont – This state was surveyed in early October and they asked people eating pancakes.
  • 6. Colorado – They surveyed skiers.
  • 5. Utah – I have a lot of comments, none of which I will type.
  • 4. Montana – Seriously? It’s FREEZING there half the year!
  • 3. Alaska – They only surveyed the people from the cruise ships. 
  • 2. Wyoming – Last winter, the chill factor was 69 degrees below zero. How happy is THAT?
  • 1. Hawaii – I can’t argue with this one. I’d be happy to live there too!

Did the list surprise you? 

The list made me kind of skeptical (obviously!) How did these people define and attempt to measure happiness? 

So, I researched 24/7 Tempo, the group that did the survey. This organization used the 2019 Gallup Well-Being Index, which is supposed to capture what people feel about their daily lives. 

People were measured in five categories: social relationships, financial security, relationship to community, physical health, and career prospects. 

Notice that no one asked them how they felt about their relationship with God or their hope for an eternal life. 

Which states are the most religious? 

I felt very sad that the states with the highest percentages of Christians did not make the top twenty list. 

Which states are considered the most religious? 

According to a 2017 US News article, the list is as follows: 

  • 10. North Carolina
  • 9 and 8: Oklahoma and Georgia tied.
  • 7. West Virginia
  • 6. South Carolina
  • 5. Arkansas
  • 4. Louisiana
  • 3. Tennessee
  • 2 and 1: Mississippi and Alabama tied.

Why aren’t the most religious states the happiest? 

Did the survey miss the truth or reveal a truth? 

I think the answer to both of those questions is yes.

One of the strong themes of Scripture is that the world doesn’t think like God thinks. 

Isaiah wrote, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD” (Isaiah 55:8). The apostle John taught Christians to feel differently about the world. He wrote, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15). 

If happiness is measured by the world’s standards, Christians won’t be considered the happiest. Nevertheless, doesn’t it seem strange that the religious states weren’t the happiest? 

The Bible doesn’t say much about happiness 

Happiness is based on the same word as happenings. The Bible typically focuses on joy, a sense of well-being that transcends circumstance. It makes sense that a survey questioning people’s earthly circumstances would miss the deeper, eternal perspectives. 

People are happy when the money is good, the jobs are certain, the friendships are plentiful, and the doctor pronounces them healthy. 

But none of those circumstances will matter eternally. 

What if they looked for the joyful states? 

King Solomon said, “I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live” (Ecclesiastes 3:12). Jesus told his apostles, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11). But, Jesus said that to his apostles right before he went to the garden of Gethsemane to wait for the soldiers. 

Joy is the foundational sense of well-being that transcends circumstances. Joy can’t be understood by a world that only pursues happiness. Christians have a higher calling and a higher blessing. We have the joy that Jesus promised. 

But, is it possible to have both? 

Joy and happiness

The reason for this blog post is simple: Christians should strive for both joy and happiness. 

I’m so grateful to own and teach an eternal perspective on life. If we have to choose, we should choose joy. But, I’m sad that the rest of the world doesn’t see Christianity as a source of “happiness” as well. 

Should we reexamine our witness to the world? Do people who know you consider you a “happy” person? Should they? 

Acts 13:52 says, “And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” Joy is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. 

There is a LOT that Christians can’t be happy about with the world. But that doesn’t mean we can’t reflect the joy of our salvation to the people around us. 

Happiness is a choice; joy is a gift. Why don’t we strive for both? 

The world is watching.