There are some people who say “no” to just about everything. In his book, The Grace Awakening, Charles Swindoll describes people who have “no faces” and “yes faces.” I bet you know a few of each. A couple weeks ago I was delayed at the airport in Washington D.C. and the airline employee working at my gate had what Swindoll would describe as a “no face.”
As I waited, I got to know my fellow travelers and learned some of them had been stranded since the night before. Two delays and four hours later, we were antsy and curious about our flight. We debated amongst ourselves about who would approach the “no faced” man behind the counter and ask about our flight.
I volunteered.
Not surprisingly he jabbed, snorted, and sneered and said when he received updated information he’d announce it for everyone to hear. I grinned and asked if I could buy him a cup of coffee. He didn’t answer. I guess that meant “no.”
Whether or not we realize it, we form opinions about God based on our experiences with people, especially key authority figures. Some of us walk on eggshells and approach God in prayer as if He’s an overly fatigued airline employee dealing with a room full of stranded passengers. When we project human shortcomings on to God it distorts our view and gives us an inaccurate perception of His character. With this in mind, we have to constantly align our view of God with what the Scriptures teach us to be true.
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16).
A handful of things stand out in this passage. First, Jesus has sympathy for our weaknesses. Let’s remember that He took on flesh and walked among us in this insane world. He knows how it feels to be human. Secondly, we can approach Him with confidence. There’s no need to debate whether or not God will receive us warmly in prayer. The fact that we can approach the throne of God with confidence anytime we want is staggering. We can quit walking on eggshells. Lastly, when we pray, He supplies the mercy and grace we need. We will never come away from prayer empty-handed.
Let’s not unwittingly project the shortcomings of man on an approachable God.
Jesus has a “yes face.”
