Dirty Faces -- & Eternal Life

It was only a casual glance at the mirror as I walked passed -- a moment when my eye stole a glimpse at my reflection. But what a moment it was! The whole of nature stopped, turned in my direction and waited for my response to that. . . that little white and grey thing hanging from my left nostril.

I thought I would die from embarrassment.

I yanked a handkerchief from my pocket and wiped my nose. "Oh, No! Who has seen me like this!" Digging deeply into my face, I cocked and twisted my head, making sure I had removed every last trace of that horrible blight. Then the knot in my stomach tightened. How long had I been walking around totally ignorant of my ghastly plight? When did I last blow my nose? Just before I left the house? Three hours ago!

I stuffed the handkerchief back into my pocket and hurried off, wondering why no one had told me. Surely they had seen it. Anyone looking in my direction from Australia could have seen it!

I think I know why they remained silent: they were almost as embarrassed to mention it as I was to discover it. They probably thought, "maybe he'll scratch his nose and discover it without my having to bring up the subject." Or, "maybe someone else will tell him."

How do I know that's what they probably thought? Because I also have made those same dumb excuses when I've looked at someone's face and wondered "how do I tell him about his dirty nose?"

Well, believe it or not, there is a spiritual point in all this, because in dealing with my own embarrassment I learned two important things about dirty faces -- and eternal life.

First, mirrors are very important. Had I not seen my reflection in the mirror, I might have continued through the rest of the day with that thing dangling on my nose. However, that common looking glass reminds me of another mirror -- the Bible. "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword . . . and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12, KJV). When I first read the pages of God's "mirror" a much more serious blemish caught my eye. Like the piece of mucous stuck to the end of my nose, this cursed spot (God calls it sin) clung stubbornly to my life. Discovering that was not one of my favorite moments. But it could certainly have been much worse.

Go To Page: 1 2

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic