Facetime with Jesse!

Kim and I, like most grandparents whose grandchildren live a bit out of reach, are thankful for the technology we have via apps like Facetime.  Since our grandson Jesse, along with his parents (of course), lives about four hours away, at least a few times a week Kim and I get to see him and interact with him via Facetime. 

Of course, we’d much rather be with him in person. After all, there’s nothing like being there and being able to play together, feel each other’s touch, or give a hug. But, at least we get to see him and he gets to see us, albeit by means of a screen. It’s better than just talking on a phone; in fact, there’s no way in the world that a 1 year old is going to sit and have a phone conversation. With Facetime, he gets to play and we get to watch him and talk to him  and interact with him while he does. Sometimes he even tries to show off for grandma and grandpa!  

Of course, we'd rather be up close and personal!

As its name suggests, with Facetime we get to see each other’s faces. And that’s important. After all, when we see someone’s face we get to see the facial features that set them apart from all the other people we know or see each day.  And we get to see the many, many expressions that go along with the words they might speak—expressions that share emotions, bring meaning to their words, and help us connect with one another.  For sure, there is nothing like seeing another person’s face. Ah…that’s the beauty of Facetime and other apps like it.   Although we may be at a distance, we get to see each other’s faces! 

If you think about it, right now our communication with God through prayer is somewhat like talking on a phone. It’s a wonderful means of communicating and getting our words across. And, I in no way want to downplay the wonderful privilege that prayer is in the life of the believer. The Bible promises, however, that one day we are going to move beyond our current means of communication, for we will enter in the presence of Jesus our Savior and see him face to face! What a wonderful day that is going to be! 

The Apostle Paul wrote, “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face.” (1 Corinthians 13:12 – ESV) John wrote, “Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3:2 – ESV) 

I love the way the hymn writer, Carrie Ellis Breck put it in her hymn, “Face to Face.” The first two verses and chorus are as follow:  

Face to face with Christ my Savior, Face to face--what will it be; When with rapture I behold Him, Jesus Christ who died for me? 

Only faintly now I see Him, with the darkened veil between; But a blessed day is coming when His glory shall be seen. 

Face to face I shall behold Him, Far beyond the starry sky;  Face to face in all His glory, I shall see Him by and by!

It really is going to be an incredible day when, no longer will we speak to our Savior from a distance, but we will see him face to face!  I hope you are living with that kind of longing in your heart! 

Have a great day! 

- Pastor Tim Harris