The Lord God made them all

People have faces. Of course we know that. But how many times do we look at the faces that surround us? Could we draw our spouse's face for memory? Our toddler's? Our father's? Our teacher's?

Artist Marina Abramović sat quietly across from people in an alternative art exploration at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The portraits of those who faced her over the two-and-a-half-month "show" reminded me that each face has a story.

Many of us are so wrapped up in ourselves that we negate the experiences of others. "It's all about us." We never consider that those around us are feeling, thinking, breathing, worrying, striving, crying, happy, euphoric, miserable... just like we are.

Yet God does not forget. Not one of us goes unnoticed or anonymous through his world. Scripture tells us he knows us and loves us dearly. Deeply. He even paid the death penalty for our rebellion against him.

Looking at the faces, it's easy to see that some have lived rough lives. There is pain and grief in their eyes, and they weep as they sit with someone who is present and waiting with them. But there is also relaxation and joy in the faces of others.

I wondered which were my brothers and sisters in Christ. Some day I may get to meet them and hear their stories of grace. I'd like to ask if they prayed and cared for Marina as they sat, face to face.

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*But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 NLT

*Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 1 Corinthians 15:1-6 NIV

*"When we arrived in Macedonia, there was no rest for us. We faced conflict from every direction, with battles on the outside and fear on the inside. But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus. His presence was a joy, but so was the news he brought of the encouragement he received from you. When he told us how much you long to see me, and how sorry you are for what happened, and how loyal you are to me, I was filled with joy!" 2 Corinthians 7:5–7 NLT