You'll Know Me By the Smile on My Face

The old gospel song was playing on the radio.  I’d heard it many times over the years and on occasion had sung it myself.  Referring to believers’ upcoming reunion in Heaven, one line states “you’ll know me by the smile on my face.” 

Will they? came the question to my mind.  Will people recognize me when I am smiling, or are they more accustomed to seeing something far different?  Do I go around frowning, fretting and fussing, or does Christ’s love, buried deep in my being, make its way to my facial features?

It isn’t easy to smile when we encounter disappointment, confusion or pain.  There may even be times when it seems we will never smile again.  But God’s Word tells us that we can have joy that outshines even the circumstances that temporarily wipe the smile from our face:

Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning 

(Psalm 30:5)

As children of God, we have every reason to smile.  At the moment we ask forgiveness for sin and trust Christ as Savior, His Spirit enters our being where He remains to guarantee our salvation:

Whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life 

(John 3:15)

Now He Who has prepared us for this very thing is God, 

Who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee 

(2 Corinthians 5:5)

He promises to strengthen and lead us throughout our time on Earth:

 I have taught you in the way of wisdom; 

I have led you in the right paths.  

When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, 

and when you run, you will not stumble 

(Proverbs 4:11-12)

He promised to return and take us to live with Him in eternity:

Let not your heart be troubled; 

you believe in God; believe also in Me. 

 In My Father’s house are many mansions; 

if it were not so, I would have told you.  

I go to prepare a place for you.  

And if I go and prepare a place for you,

I will come again and receive you to myself;

that where I am, there you may be also 

(John 14:1-3)

Forgiveness for the past.  Help with the present.  Confidence in the future.  Excellent reasons to smile and reflect the joy that is ours in Christ Jesus.  What better way to demonstrate the benefits of Christianity to a sad, hopeless, embittered world.

Lord, there’s a song in my heart, and a smile on my face,
for I know beyond doubt that I’m saved by Your grace.
Jesus died for my sins when He hung on that tree;
I’ve accepted His payment and now I am free.
I’m made right with You, Lord, and I never shall die;
it’s the gift of Your love which I can’t earn or buy.
But I owe You my life for the things You have done;
to live it according to the words of Your Son.
Every word that I say, and the things that I do,
will be pleasing to You if they’re honest and true.
All my actions and motives expressed as they’re meant,
since You see my heart and You know my intent.
So the songs people hear, and the smile they can see
are the evident signs that You’re living in me.
I will trust Your direction and go where You lead;
and Your grace will sufficiently cover my needs.