"Nameless & Faceless" has been reverberating in my spirit for a few days. In my dreams last night, the faces of people I've never seen were flashing before me, one after another in rapid succession. It was like the face recognition software you see on TV crime shows searching for a particular face. In my dream, one face would morph into another and then another. I saw different ages, different genders, different skin tones. Faces, faces, faces.
This morning (2.21.22), I was convicted that I often look past faces. You might call it "minding my own business". They remain Nameless & Faceless to me. But my Father knows them. He knows their name and their face. He knows their story. He loves them!
I've been doing a study on the churches in the first 3 chapters of Revelation. The Philadelphia Church (the church of brotherly love) is found in chapter 3. History says the area was known as Philadelphia before the church was planted. They were already a loving people that cared for one another. The birth of the church only strengthened their love. When they went to the market, they greeted one another by name, took time to look at each other's faces, and hear of their wellbeing. This loving church received a letter from Jesus (v. 7). While Jesus pointed out the faults of the other 6 churches and even gave them strong warnings, He did not call attention to the faults of the Philadelphia Church. Surely, they had faults. No one is perfect. I think this is a testimony to the power of love. The Bible says "love covers a multitude of sin." Jesus did not focus on their faults, shortcomings, or sin. He saw their genuine love for one another and was pleased. He spoke blessings over them (v. 8). Because they kept His word (they obey God by continuing in love) and they did not deny His name in the face of strong opposition (v. 9), they received His blessings. He acknowledged they were growing weary of showing love and had little strength left for it due to the opposition (v. 8). He acknowledges that they not only kept the word (they obey God by continuing in love) but that they did so patiently while God was giving sinners a chance to repent (v. 10). They were patient along with God. It's hard to be patient with sinners. It's even harder to love them. This church did it. They genuinely loved and did so with patience. They chose to persevere in love and kindness even though they were treated badly by those mentioned in verse 9. He admonishes them to "Hold fast". Hang in there, don’t let them steal your crown, don’t let them wear you down. Jesus told them to be steadfast in love because I'm coming soon with a reward for you.
The example of this loving church and Jesus' words resonates with me. He is coming soon. He wants us to love people as He loves them, see their faces, learn their names, and be patient in showing them kindness and concern. The gospel starts with love: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).
Jesus wants us to look at the faces. "Behold, I say unto you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, for they are white already to harvest." (John 4:35).
The challenge is to see the nameless & faceless.
The challenge is to love the nameless & faceless.
The challenge is to take them out of that category and reclassify them as His beloved.
The challenge is to go counter-culture by being friendly, available, kind, patient, & loving.
After all, "the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost" (Romans 5:5).
The challenge is to go counter-culture and let love have its way.
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