Outward Appearance

Good Morning,

1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

So, we see someone for the first time and we almost immediately make some kind of judgement and determination about that person. It's true, isn't it? No matter that we know the verse we read today in our hearts, we still make decisions and even conclusions about people just by looking at them. Even though we know it's wrong to do so.

Now, how would you and I feel if we were made to be put into a situation where, on the worst day we've faced in the way we were dressed, bathed, coifed, and appeared, people were to make a judgement about who and what we are? I don't hesitated to say that every one of us has, at some time or other, not looked the way we do now; that we looked like, well, let's just say not pleasant and let it go at that. If we were to have met someone on that day, would that person have seen any of us as the person we really are? Probably not. Yet, we...you and I...still tend to make assessments and have opinions based on what we see, not what we might come to know about someone.

We all have work to do in this area. We all have to learn to try to see with the eyes of God, to look on the inner, true person, when we meet someone. We all have to do more to put aside outward appearance and, as the Lord, look at the heart.

Yes, it's difficult because we've been raised thinking about that old saw, "You only have one chance to make a first impression," and we believe that means, at least a great deal, on our appearance when we meet someone for the first time. So, our minds are pretty set on seeing what is obvious and not looking for that which lays under the clothes and skin...into the heart. However, that doesn't mean we can't do it. Maybe not as well as God, of course, but at least better than we do now.

See me as I AM, not as I appear to be. That should be our wish and prayer. Then, taken the next step, we should pray that we will see others as they are, and not as they appear to be.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David