Our Faces Turn Away

by: Tammy De Ruyter

Natalie knew she had messed up. She sat in the corner nervously staring at the floor. She didn’t dare look up when the school principal greeted her parents at the door. She couldn’t stand to look at the disappointment and anger on their faces.

This kind of shame is as old as Adam and Eve. They made some bad choices too. Against God’s command, Adam and Eve ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Instantly, they knew they had done something wrong. In disgrace they hid their faces from the Lord. Their actions led to calamity for all humankind, and to this day we reap those terrible consequences.

Sin separates us from the ones we love most. It separates us from God, who loves us more than we could ever imagine. The shame of sin causes us to look away. Eyes are averted, relationships broken. Loneliness, guilt, and despair replace fellowship and friendship.

But we don’t need to feel this kind of shame. Jesus offers himself to bridge the broken divide and mend the broken heart. Through Christ comes forgiveness. When we look into the face of God we will not see anger and disappointment but tender love and gracious forgiveness. Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in his wonderful face!