A Look on the Heart

1 Samuel 16

Samuel is sent to go find a new king. Because obviously Solomon is a crazy guy and is not fit to be the king anymore. He goes to Jesse, to look over his many sons and pick out the one that God has chosen to be king. Samuel looked over every son, or so he thought, and God still had not chosen someone to be the king. Jesse sent for David, the youngest son, whom no one thought had a chance. Of course God picked him. He saw the potential inside of David and chose him for that. None of the outward muscle, athleticism, or looks swayed His decision.

When passing people in the hallway at school or work, or even church, (yes I said it) are we looking at what really matters?

Example: wow I'm sure that girl would be lovely if I could just get to know her. She is a daughter of God, in fact. I wonder if she is aware of that fact today.

Or: that guy might look goofy on the outside, maybe a little weird, but he is a really nice guy. He has a big heart for people and for God. He is always smiling at others and offering a word of encouragement. He could probably use some encouragement himself.

Now, I'm just as guilty of this as you are. If not more guilty. That's why I am choosing to write about it. It's a subject that weighs deeply on my heart. I have a hard time seeing others as God sees them, and that leads to judgment on my part. This side of the issue isn't where my real problem lies, though.

It's focusing too much on my outward appearance. If I'm not on the next new diet and feeling slim, I feel awful about myself inside. I obsess over every bite. I obsess over what I will wear. I obsess especially what others will think.

If I'm not being told by someone that I look good, I automatically assume I look terrible. And why am I focusing so much on that? Why do I spend so much time hating the woman that I have to live with for the rest of my life? That woman is me. She may not be a Victoria's Secret model or "Jennifer Lawrence" material, but she is, after all, a daughter of God.

You don't need friends all around you constantly reassuring you. You don't need a boyfriend, husband, wife etc. to tell you that you look good.

No. Reassurance does not come from other people, from a relationship, or even from you.

It comes straight from God. The creator of the whole universe. He cares enough to listen to each and every one of our struggles, and to get to know each and every one of us on the most personal level possible. He thinks you are amazing. No matter what size you are, how many designer clothes you have, or what your haircut looks like. He doesn't care how much weight you can lift at the gym, and I promise He doesn't care what anyone else thinks about you.

Can we please stop hating ourselves and looking for reassurance in all the wrong places, and instead looking within, at what God sees? Can we stop making snap judgments based on appearance, social status, or general awkwardness?

Start looking within and seeing a wonderful piece of God's creation. Start looking around you, and begin to see the beauty in all of God's beloved children. No matter if they have wronged you, what their reputation is, or how they might appear on the outside, God sees them as a wonderful piece of His creation. When we begin to see as God sees, maybe we will stop focusing so much on the negative aspects of ourselves and others. Maybe then we can focus on the potential, and the wonderful spiritual gifts of each and every one of us.

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (‭1 Samuel‬ ‭16‬:‭7‬ ESV)