The ‘Yes’ face!

During his days as President, Thomas Jefferson had been traveling across the country on horseback with his companions when they came to a swollen river.  A bridge had been washed away, and a stranger stood there stranded.  Each rider was forced to ford the river on horseback, fighting for his life against the rapid currents.  When the President was about to cross, the stranger asked him if he would help him across.  The President agreed without hesitation.  As the stranger landed on dry ground on the other side, one in the group asked him why he selected the President to ask this favor.  The man was shocked.  He did not know that he was the President, for it was before the dawn of Television!  'All I know,' he said, 'Is that on your faces was written the answer 'No,' but his was a 'Yes' face!'  When I heard Pastor Chuck Swindol tell this story, it got me thinking.  I wondered whether my face was a 'yes' face, a kind and caring face, or a 'No' face!

I believe when we are grateful to God for the experiences we have gone through and our lot in life, it will impact how we respond to others.  We are actually in debt to God almighty, and we may not even think of some things as debts.  The Lord forgives us much, so we are in debt.  We have received kindness and mercy from the Lord, so we are in debt.  God has been so patient with us and has not punished us according to what our deeds deserve, and so we are in debt.  The question is, are we fully aware of our debts, and are we paying them?  The Bible says in Proverbs 3:27-28, "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is in the power of your hand to do so.  Do not say to your neighbor, Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it when you have it with you."  Our debts do not stop with financial and material matters.  It extends to the issues of mercy, patience, time, and forgiveness too.

My friend, is your face and my face a 'yes' face?  Can people approach us with confidence that we would help them, listen to them, and be understanding and kind to them without being judgmental?  Let us examine our hearts today with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, for we have received much. 

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