All-InShembull

The Yes-Face

Dan Britton

SET:

When President Thomas Jefferson was traveling across the country on horseback, he approached a large river that needed to be crossed carefully. A stranger appeared beside Jefferson and his companions and asked the President for a ride across the river. As the stranger slid off the horse on the other side, one of the companions questioned why he asked the President for a ride. He replied, “I didn’t know he was the President, but his face said, "yes" and your faces said, "no”!

For some of us, our face says “no” many times. We scowl and purse our lips. Everything about us says, "no"—our attitude, demeanor, posture, and facial expressions. But teammates watch our non-verbal communication. They evaluate us and watch from a distance to see if we’d offer them a ride across the river.

A Yes-Face is defined by 10 characteristics: positive, trusting, confident, refreshing, smiling, available, approachable, inviting, gentle, and forgiving.

As Christians, the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—is the cord that connects our hearts and our faces.

“Just as water mirrors your face, so your face mirrors your heart.” – Proverbs 27:19

What does your face say about your heart? If you need a face change, ask God to fill you with the fruit of the Spirit. The sports world needs more Yes-Faces.

GO:

1. How can a locker room full of No-Faces impact the team dynamic? How about Yes-Faces?

2. Who in your life would win a Yes-Face gold medal?

3. What would your teammates say your face is saying?

4. How is God changing your heart so others can see the fruit of the Spirit through you?

WORKOUT:

Proverbs 15:13

OVERTIME:

"Father, I want a Yes-Face, but I realize that it starts with the heart. Please change my heart so my face can show it. I want my whole life including my face to show the fruit of the Spirit. Amen."