It's all about the heart!

Have you ever looked at someone's outward appearance and made a determination based on that?

I have.  Not proud of this--but it's true.

I've looked at people who were dressed poorly and decided they were lazy and choose poverty over hard work.

I've seen married couples or those dating and wondered what does he see in her or she in him.  What brought them together?

I've met people in group settings and made a snap judgment that she's too loud or he's too bossy.  Come on, I know, I'm not alone in this.

Actually, if you have felt as I have, we're not alone.

In 1 Samuel, David was passed over by his own father.  Jesse, the father of David, called all his sons to be examined by the Prophet Samuel as the possible successor to King Saul.  But guess who was overlooked?  Jesse's youngest son, David, remained in the fields tending the sheep.  His father and brothers didn't even consider him a worthy contender for the job.

David was unaware that he wasn't being considered and the reason was mostly due to the way he looked.    Each time Jesse brought another son to be examined by the Prophet, Samuel thought surely this will be the one.

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things human beings look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."  I Samuel 16:7

I'm not proud of the occasions when I've judged on the outward appearance before I allowed myself to become familiar with the depth of a person's character.  In this Bible story, I'm sad to say, I identify more with Jesse here than God.  Many times, I've been guilty of looking at only the outward.

What I've learned on these occasions is another's kindness in action has the power to change what I see with my eyes.  The spiritual depth of a person has a way of blinding me to outward imperfections.  One's virtue is better than cosmetic surgery, makeup or a diet.

I'm so thankful that when God the Father looks at me--and you--it's the heart that he sees not the wrinkles, crooked teeth, age spots, gray hair, bald head, weight, posture, or the style of clothes we wear.

It's all about the heart, so guard it well.