1 Samuel 16:7
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.”I wish I could look at the heart, automatically, without looking at any outward appearances. Praise God that He looks at our heart....although sometimes that's not quite where it should be...but He is gracious, I'm learning God's grace.
A lot of times when I hear this passage being talked about it is referenced to age, and not being too young to live for God, or too old in the same way....but, regardless of age, we as humans, at least I, as a human, find it very difficult to think and look first at the heart of someone or even something as more important or more quickly than the outward appearance. I'm even thinking of a mango...kind of strange but I was getting groceries and mangos are so tricky because all you can see is the outward appearance...you can feel if it is tender or not, but sometimes it is too tender and you can't tell the difference, or it feels tender, but it's really not the best it can be yet! I haven't yet mastered the art of finding the perfect mango, but when I get one...ohhhh it's so good :)
Anyway, I think about that with people sometimes, and how such different personalities can really either let you in, or really leave you with an impression that may not be what is really on the inside. I know myself, I sometimes seem very quiet and reserved, and sometimes I certainly am! But people who really know me, often think the opposite, that I'm not very reserved, a strong leader and...not very quiet! I don't necessarily try to behave or act differently, it's just a different comfort level, or something, I haven't quite figured myself out yet...but I'm glad that God knows who I am, He sees my heart and it doesn't really bother Him if I'm having a bad hair day or my clothes don't match or I really can't think of anything to say, He knows my heart and He loves me.
