Ruthe Frens had spent most of her life as a missionary in Japan. When I was asked to speak at her funeral, the apostle Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 4 came to mind. Ruthe's conversion as a child had not been like Paul's. It was not accompanied by a blinding light from heaven and an audible message from Jesus (Acts 9). Yet, over the years it was obvious to all who knew her that she had seen the light—she had come to know God personally through faith in Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 4:6). And her face revealed the joy of her relationship with the Lord.

Ruthe could also identify with Paul's description of the human body as "an earthen vessel" (v.7), which is fragile and only temporary. An illness that almost took her life in 1953 left her physically weakened. But through the years she grew spiritually strong.

I was with her family when the doctor informed her that she didn't have long to live. At that time, everyone could see the peace on her face. After her death, scores of letters and e-mail messages from friends in Japan had this common theme: Ruthe's smile radiated the presence of Jesus in her life.

Does your life reveal to others that you know Jesus? Can they see that your heart has been transformed?  — Herbert Vander Lugt