The Face of God

The Lord said to Moses, “You cannot see my face; for no one shall see me and live.” Exodus 33:20

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. Hebrews 11:1–2

REFLECTION:
Emotion can be conveyed through voice...but it's more effective if you can see the face of the other.

This is why carrying out discussions over e-mail or Facebook is so ineffective. If the topic involves any level of debate or disagreement, words on a page or a screen alone often create more problems. Unable to see the body language and the face of the people to whom we are speaking, we are free to make our own assumptions about how they are feeling and the intentions behind their words.

This is much more difficult to do in person. In person, we can get a sense of where the other is coming from mostly because we can see their face. In human relationships, our faces convey emotion in a way nothing else can.

In the story of the Exodus, we are reminded that Moses can't look directly at the face of God. He can only see it reflected in the mighty deeds of God; providing the covenant that would guide them, leading by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night; freeing slaves through a series of awe-inspiring "plagues." God's emotions and intentions shine through these acts.

If God is Love, as the New Testament tells us, then it makes sense that we are unable to face it directly. Pure and unadulterated, fierce and intense, Love itself is too much to take in directly. So, we see it mirrored in all the places God chooses to show up;

In forgiveness when it is needed most;
In reconciliation between parties who are tired of fighting;
In the laugh of children and the tears of sympathetic friends;
In the sun that rises to warm the earth and the rain that waters and brings life;
In ancient words of Scripture streaming through the years to speak directly to me, today;
In the breath that fills my lungs, and the electrical currents that cause my heart to beat;
God's Love is there.
Maybe we can't see God directly today, but we can see the things listed above, and so much more.

As we begin our Lent journey toward Easter today, may we ask that God increase our faith...

PRAYER:
Lord, give us faith that behind it all, the one who is Love itself holds everything together. Lord, give us faith that what we cannot see directly still reigns supreme. Lord, give us faith that Love has the final say about us and our world. Amen.