We were in a passport queue in JFK when a two-year-old in front of us was getting very tired and fractious after a transatlantic journey. Suddenly, all he could do was plead to be lifted up. As he was cradled in his mother’s arms, looking up into her face, he was quieted. He knew he was her delight.


Aaron’s blessing on Israel included, “The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” This came to fulfillment in what Paul proclaims: “For God… has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6).


When we delight in someone, we love to gaze into their face. The Lord delights in us and gazes into our face and we into His. Psalm 42 says that “the Lord is the health of my countenance.” The Message paraphrases it: “He puts a smile on my face.” As we seek the face of Jesus Christ – that is, draw close to the Lord and experience His delight – He lightens us so that we may in turn lighten the lives of those around us.