1 Samuel 16:6-7
When Jesse and his sons arrived, Samuel noticed Jesse's oldest son, Eliab. "He has to be the one the LORD has chosen," Samuel said to himself.
But the LORD told him, "Samuel, don't think Eliab is the one just because he's tall and handsome. He isn't the one I've chosen. People judge others by what they look like, but I judge people by what is in their hearts."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
One of Timothy’s favorite books at the moment is Olivia, by Ian Falconer - the story of a little piglet and her family… father, mother, brother Ian, dog Perry, and Edwin the cat. The illustrations of Olivia are not bright and bold, like those in many of Timmy’s books. They are all done in black and red on a white background, with some grey shading. Olivia only wears red, and she is depicted somewhat realistically and not “prettied up” as pigs go. Yet Timothy loves her. Olivia is extremely energetic, and the story line is that “she is very good at wearing people out.”
In one part of the story, Olivia goes to the museum on a rainy day, and she studies a painting of beautiful ballerinas. The story says she looks at it for a long time. She also looks at an abstract painting – blobs of paint that appear to have been splattered on the canvas. She remarks to her mother, “I could do that in about five minutes,” and then she proceeds to go home and try it on a wall of her home. Of course, the next text is… “Time out!”
The point is, Olivia did not see the beauty in the abstract painting. She did not see the “heart” in the work that the artist – and apparently other admirers – saw. Timothy sees beyond the simple black and red line drawings and colorings of this little piglet and judges her heart… her similarities in behavior to him… and her exuberance for life. He doesn’t seem to notice her appearance… in fact, I bet he would tell you she is quite beautiful.
We live in a society where looks are everything. People obsess over all sorts of cosmetic concerns… from a “bad hair day” to the extra weight they are carrying to a face covered in freckles. You feel like the blemish or mole on your face is all people see when they look at you… while many hardly notice it. We let our self-awareness of the “muffin top” we’re carrying or that bald spot on our head overshadow our ability to be present in the moment and serve others… and God.
We need to be more like Olivia, the piglet. I don’t mean that we need to get so out of control that we start painting abstract art on our walls… but we need to focus more on life and what matters - and less on appearances. And we need to stop judging others based on looks and first impressions. That zany, overly exuberant, talkative person who drives you nuts may be a loving, caring person who would do anything he/she could to help someone else. The person who is dirty and disheveled… the one who always seems aloof or disinterested… the guy who is so scatterbrained you figure he would lose his head if it weren’t attached… may be just the people God uses to relate to others and serve them right where they are.
The people who are always “dressed to the nines”, drive fancy cars and have lots of money, or have impressive degrees from major colleges and universities may be the very people who are too busy focusing on their own agendas… and not the needs of others or God’s plans. People who are tall and handsome… smart, rich and successful… athletic and talented… may not necessarily be the ones who are serving God the most – or to the best of their ability.
We must stop judging people by appearance. And we need to check our own behavior and see where we are letting our appearance hamper our ability to serve. Are we self-conscious and timid? Are we egotistical and arrogant? What is in our heart? When God looks there, what does He see… and does it please Him? Are you one of God’s chosen servants? What changes do you need to make to become more like Him? Are you ready to begin?
©2011 Debbie Robus
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