About Face!

Our facial expressions should be as purposeful as our music, movement, and garments. When a parent looks into the face of a newborn child, the first thing that he or she looks for is a family resemblance. When we have the DNA of someone, it shows in most cases. When we minister through dance and movement, the truth of the message should also show on our faces. In the church sector, the debate continues regarding the wearing (or not) of make-up for dancers and face paint protocol for mime ministers. Everything that God does is with purpose. When we are led by the Spirit, then we will do what is appropriate.

There are pros and cons to wearing make-up and face paint. For females, wearing heavy make-up or foundation, lipstick, and eye make-up can look great for video recordings and photographs. The results of intense movement combined with makeup may result in strange, but colorful artwork on the front of our garments. Many mime ministers wear face paint and dark garments. Face paint can enhance the portrayal of emotions during a mime piece. If it is not applied properly, then the observer may start to pay attention to the paint as it travels away from the face and onto the collar, chest and arms of the mime.

There may be times when the Lord is calling for us to let our natural faces convey the "unveiled" ministry and His transforming power. Just because "everyone else is doing it" does not mean that the Lord has called us to follow the existing model. We must always adhere to the basics of seeking the Lord's face for direction. When we do, then His glory will shine in ours and be a confirmation that we spent time with Him.

Job 9:27 (NKJV)
If I say, ‘I will forget my complaint, I will put off my sad face and wear a smile’

Job 24:15 (NKJV)
The eye of the adulterer waits for the twilight, saying, ‘No eye will see me’; and he disguises his face.

Isaiah 50:7 (NKJV)
“For the Lord GOD will help Me; Therefore I will not be disgraced; Therefore I have set My face like a flint, and I know that I will not be ashamed.

Joel 2:6 (NKJV)
Before them the people writhe in pain; All faces are drained of color.

Acts 6:15 (NKJV)
And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.

2 Corinthians 3:18 (NKJV)
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.