1 Samuel 16:7
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.
We don’t have to look very far to see people who appear to have it all… yet their lives are falling apart. Have you ever asked yourself why “hunks” and “leading ladies” seem to have trouble staying in a relationship or marriage? Have you ever heard celebrities who were being interviewed by a talk show host declare that they would like to find love, but it kept eluding them? Do you notice how many “rich and famous” people seem to have trouble with addictions, money management, and more?
Looks are deceiving… and I, for one, am thankful that God sees beyond appearances. I’m glad that He doesn’t choose to love us based on the success of our last movie, whether our nose is shaped just right, or because we have the perfect abs and a full head of gorgeous (natural) hair! God loves us… He cares what we think and feel, how we treat others, and how we serve Him!
What about you? How do you judge others? Do you look at their skin color, socio-economic status, political leanings, sexual preferences, nationality, or whether or not society deems them to be “beautiful”? Are they too young, too old, too fat, too thin, or just too ugly? Or do you choose to look at their heart… to see them as God sees them… to recognize their innate sense of right and wrong - and whether they desire to serve God and share His love with their fellow man?
We are all far too judgmental… for all the wrong reasons. We put way too much emphasis on appearances… physical, material, and otherwise. It’s time we started getting to know people and looking at their character - their heart - and their potential to serve as a disciple of Christ. We need to choose to see what God sees. What are you choosing?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label choosing to see others as God sees them. Show all posts
Showing posts with label choosing to see others as God sees them. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for May 16, 2013
May 16 ~ Ephesians 4:1-3
Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
A wonderful Christian friend of mine shared a video on Facebook from Upworthy.com* about how we look at adulthood… and the choices we make. A lot of what seems boring or mundane to us has to do with how we choose to see things. We can look at a long grocery check-out line as an aggravation and inconvenience… or a chance to pray. We can be irritated by the lady ahead of us with two kids tugging on her who is in a discussion with the cashier over a grocery coupon… or see her as a busy working mother who is struggling to make ends meet and really needs that extra $1 off her bill. We can see the oversized cars in the traffic lanes as road hogs… or we can recognize that this may be a vehicle that young parents chose because of its sturdiness and safety factors for hauling their little ones back and forth to daycare and other destinations.
And so it is with those who try our patience. We can choose to see their faults and flaws and the things about them that drive us nuts… or we can try to see what God sees… another of His creations…someone who is just as precious and has just as much potential – and is just as flawed - in His eyes as you and I. We can be humble and gentle and recognize that every person has a story… there is a heartache on every pew (as my pastor often says) – and in every grocery line and traffic lane. We can recognize that we do not corner the market on God’s love… or on His patience. We can do better at making an effort to stay united in the Spirit and operating from a place of peace.
If we are truly born-again, Spirit-filled Christians, we must choose to operate more from the place in our hearts where the Holy Spirit resides and less from our human desires. We must call on the Holy Spirit to guide our thoughts, actions… and choices… and to grant us an extra-hefty dose of patience in many instances. And He will do this… and the shift in our attitude will be palpable and fully obvious… in our own daily living – and in the lives of those around us.
What do you say? Are you leading a life worthy of your calling by God? Are you seeing even the most trivial and seemingly insignificant moments as opportunities to exercise humility, gentleness, and patience… a chance to choose peace over stress, strife, or even momentary irritation? Isn’t it time we shifted our attitude in this area and began to choose according to the Holy Spirit? Are you ready to answer the call?
©2013 Debbie Robus
*http://www.upworthy.com/the-earth-shatteringly-amazing-speech-that-ll-change-the-way-you-think-about-adulthood-4?g=4
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