‘The LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.’ (Numbers 6:25–26).
Introduction
Have you heard the phrase: “Eyes are windows to the soul”? This phrase suggests that, as we communicate with others, our eyes reveal a lot of non-verbal information, perhaps at times more than we intend!
What do you see in these eyes? Can you tell what they’re thinking? [1]
In general, eye contact is an important part of our body language. It can reveal our underlying position toward people; our emotions (e.g. happiness, sadness, anger); where our attention is directed; even if we are attracted to someone (our pupils dilate).
What do our eyes reveal about us? How do our eyes affect how we welcome others?
1. Our eyes can reveal where we direct our attention
Generally speaking, when we meet someone for the first time eye contact is considered important. But we need to find the “Goldilocks” amount: not too much, not too little, but “just right.” Too much = aggressive, too little = disinterested. During a conversation, Westerners typically make direct eye contact 30–60% of the time (more when listening, less when talking). But there are no universal rules as our behaviour is complex: cultural, social, personal.
Why is eye contact so important? Our eyes tell others where our attention is directed. Our gaze communicates our emotions, our character, who we are. Humans are the only primates to have such a large white area around their pupils, to easily see where someone is looking. Studies have shown that by 12 months of age, babies look at the eyes, not the head, to determine gaze direction.
Scripture says that God turns his face toward you. This poetic description reveals God’s emotion, his character, who he is.
‘The LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you’ (Numbers 6:25).
‘LORD, let the light of your face shine on us’ (Psalm 4:6).
God’s face is directed toward you. His attention is focused on you and his creation e.g. ‘God saw it was good. …. God saw it was good. … God saw all he had made, and it was very good.’ (Genesis 1). Like the sun, God’s gaze gives light and warmth and life. His gaze is linked with his grace. Grace is receiving something you don’t deserve. God freely gives you your very life, creating you from nothing.
2. Our eyes can reveal how we feel about ourselves
Sometimes our eyes can reveal how we feel about ourselves. E.g. for some people in some cultures, shame is manifested by the averted gaze of the eyes. We look down or look away when we are ashamed.
Shame has to do with the effect of what is done, or not done, on our sense of worth and our status in our community. The focus in shame is on one’s self: how I believe others see me, and how I see my defects or failures. In shame the distinctive thoughts are: wanting to disappear, withdrawing from others, blushing, or averting our gaze.[2]
Again, there are no universal rules because our behaviour is complex, but averting our gaze can be related to shame. Have you ever averted your gaze because of shame or embarrassment, or experienced this happen?
Not only does God graciously give you everything, by turning his face toward you and gazing his attention at you; he also invites you to come stand in his presence and gaze back at him.
‘As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness’ (Psalm 17:15 ESV).
God not only freely gives you your life; he also gives you his righteousness. Righteousness simply means your relationship is ‘right’ with God. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, God takes away your shame. You are made right with him. He lifts your eyes toward him, so that you are no longer ashamed and looking away. Your eyes are now toward God (Psalm 141:8).
When your shame is taken away, you are simultaneously given deep, inner peace.
‘The LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace’ (Numbers 6:26).
Any turmoil you feel is taken away. Any fear or uncertainty is removed. Your worth is no longer bound up in yourself. Instead your worth is found in the fact that you are God’s creation. You are a child of God. All the right and good things that belong to Jesus, God’s very own son, are given to you & bestowed upon you. You boldly stand in the presence of the Almighty Creator, unashamed, and at peace.
Living a restored, forgiven, peace-filled life, with our gaze directed toward God, means that we are also free to direct our gaze toward others. Our gaze is no longer downcast, toward the ground, but our head is lifted, and we are free to look around, toward others.
Challenge questions:
- Who will you welcome this week?
- Who will you direct your gaze toward this week?
- How is God turning you from yourself to look at him and others?
- Where are you experiencing God’s peace in your life?
May the peace of God, which transcends human understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
[1] https://www.boredpanda.com/40-photos-to-show-that-eyes-are-windows-of-the-soul/
[2] See “Towards Freedom – The Practice of Forgiveness in the LCA,” Report from GCC Taskforce 2009.
