Draw Near – 365 Guides to Greater Intimacy with GodSample

FORGET THE FACE Charles William Eliot, one of the greatest presidents of Harvard University, was born with a serious facial disfigurement. Once he was old enough to be sensitive about it, his mother said, "My son, it is not possible for you to get rid of this handicap. We have consulted the best physicians and they can do nothing for you. But it is possible, with God's help, to grow a soul and mind so big that people will forget to look at your face." This is exactly what he did. Today, he is recognized as one of the educators who shaped modern secondary education. Paul talked about the only begotten Son of God willfully coming to earth and humbling Himself to become a man. He further subjected Himself to the disfigurement of the cross. His life, death, and resurrection force us to look beyond that ugliness to the glory of His salvation. One day every knee will bow before this Lord of lords! Christ is our example of obedience. The challenge is clear; our lives are to bring glory to His name. We, like Eliot, can live lives so beautifully meaningful that people will look beyond our human form to see the living Christ within us. May that be our prayer for this day.