Let's engage in a project. Jump in your car and go for a drive through town. As you cruise the streets, take notice of the people you see. As you pass cars coming toward you, look at the people inside. You'll notice how many, or most, people look like they're having a bad day. They look sour or even grumpy. The one thing you'll notice is hardly anyone looks happy. Understanding that seldom anyone smiles most of the time, and they would claim they have nothing special on their minds that might upset them, but they still look almost angry.

I recently drove through Cridersville. A very tall Halloween decoration of a giant man drew my attention to how sad it is that people get so wrapped up in a holiday of ghosts, goblins, and other frightening scenes. But a little farther and across the street was a large replica of a haunted house. I drove a little farther and saw a scene of a lady dressed in black on the front porch. She appeared to fit right in with the Halloween scene. But then she moved. Oops! She wasn't a Halloween figure. She was alive and just happened to have on all-black clothing. While there is nothing wrong with how she was dressed, her facial expression and appearance fit right in with the other Halloween décor I had just driven past.

Have you ever tried people-watching? It's entertaining and fun to engage in while waiting on someone. Try it sometime if you're not a people watcher. The expressions on many people's faces, especially if they are by themselves, look like they’re having a bad day.  

As I continued driving through Cridersville, I took notice of those on the sidewalk. A grandmother was pushing her grandchild in a stroller, yet she didn't look happy to spend time with the child. Why didn't she seem to be having fun? A young lady was walking her dog. Here again, she had no expression of enjoying her walk. A little farther was a woman on a stroll, possibly going to or returning from the store. But she, too, looked like she had no joy in her life.  

We don't need a smile on our faces to have joy in our hearts, but what are we portraying to others with our facial expressions or lack thereof? What do you look like to others? What do you look like as people pass you in a car? How do you appear to others when you're alone and unaware that someone might be watching you?  

Stand in front of your bathroom mirror and try to have your natural expressionless face. Notice every aspect of your face: nose, forehead, cheeks, and mouth, but take special notice of your eyes. Now, while you keep watching your eyes without smiling, think of something that makes you happy or gives you deep joy. Do you notice how your eyes change? They begin to sparkle or glow. If not, then keep watching your eyes as you smile. You’ll likely see your eyes light up. Our eyes are so revealing. Continue watching your eyes as you think of something that makes you angry or sad. Our eyes express anger, joy, sadness, and every emotion between, even without changing any other facial expression. Our eyes are the gateway to our hearts that others see – and people “do” take notice.  

Without thinking about it, we see into each other's hearts by looking at the eyes. People see our hearts by looking into our eyes. Our smiles are the most evident expressions of happiness and other emotions, yet our eyes are the most revealing. Our eyes disclose more of what is in our hearts than our mouths. Of course, the combination of our facial expressions is the most noticeable, and when we get angry, sad, or happy, our entire face is the most revealing. But subtle changes in our eyes are the key to our genuine emotions.  

Now that you have a little insight into what faces reveal of our hearts, what does your face disclose to others? What do they see as they pass you on the street or when you check out at the store? As Christians, we are to portray the attitude of Jesus. WAIT!!! No! that is not true. We are to HAVE the attitude of Jesus.  

Here’s an insight from the Apostle Paul

¹ Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate?² Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

³ Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. ⁴ Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

⁵ You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

-       Philippians 2:1-5 (NLT)

We are to have the same attitude of Christ!!! But do we?

If you're not concerned with what others see of you, consider the One that should matter to you: God. What does He see? God is the only One who knows the inner secrets of your heart. You cannot hide your attitude from Him. So, what are you thinking? Does it make you smile? Are you sad? Are you filled with joy? Or are you empty? Take your burdens to the Lord, leave them there, and then walk away with joy in your heart. Then you can –

^16b let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

-       Matthew 5:16^b (NLT)

What is your attitude? What is your face revealing to others? They are watching you.

Love you,

Kenny