Unremovable Traces

God lives and works today. Most people spend a great deal of time on their appearance, trying to make themselves look attractive. However, few take the right precautions so that they will continue to be attractive even when they get old.

Today's meditation by Vassalia Schlink will share with us what these right precautions are. Mother Vassalia shared with us an experience she had had when, as a young girl, she went to visit an art gallery in Holland. Through this experience, she saw how it is possible for us to determine our appearance for all eternity.

She writes, One day, I stood before a painting of several old ladies done by Frans Hals. I was horrified when I saw those faces, so hard, so repulsive, so bitter. I couldn't forget this picture.

I was young then. I asked myself, How did they get such bitter faces? Then the answer became clear to me. No matter how young a person may be, every time he starts to cherish bitter thoughts or feelings, a small bitter wrinkle appears in his face.

When this happens a hundred times, these wrinkles begin to take effect. And so what people experience for thirty or fifty years becomes engraved on their faces. If an old person has a hard face, it is because many critical thoughts and words have left their marks behind, marks which cannot be erased.

Scripture says that we will awaken to shame and everlasting contempt, or to everlasting life. In eternity, we will not only have to bear the image of what we have lived by, but we will also be judged and sent to the place where we belong, either to the dark regions with those who bear the image of Satan, or to the kingdom of light and glory with those who bear the image of Jesus Christ and who radiate His love. Therefore, repent as long as there is still time.

The bitter, jealous, proud, and judging thoughts which oppress you are like birds flying around your head. But it's up to you whether or not they build a nest on your head. The decision is in your hands.

Take advantage of this short time on earth. Fight the battle of faith against your sin so that you will be victorious over that which is evil in your heart and thoughts. In this way, you will be formed in the nature of Jesus and He will shine forth from you.

Consider this fact. You have been chosen to depict the most beautiful image, the image of His love. Jesus has redeemed you for this.

In His love, you will become happy and be able to make others happy too. Therefore, begin now to implore Jesus to engrave His likeness on you. Will my nature be by love made perfect? You have been listening to a program written by Basilea Schlink of the Little Land of Canaan.

To learn more about how God lives and works today, visit us at our website, www.canaan.org. That's K-A-N-A-A-N dot org. If you contact us, we would be happy to send you a free inspirational booklet. If you do not have access to the Web, please contact this radio station for our postal address.

God bless you.