Shell Judging
May 12
The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart
1Samuel 16:7
The woman on television was stunning, quite beautiful actually. John immediately felt conviction for more than just a casual appreciation of her beauty. He looked across the room at his beautiful wife. Why did he feel like he’d just cheated on her? There was no sexual attraction to the woman on TV, so why the conviction?
Just then John heard God whisper, “How do you feel about the woman standing behind her, John?” Until that moment he hadn’t even noticed the other woman. Shifting his attention, John’s initial assessment was that she was somewhat overweight and not as well dressed as the object of his discomfort.
God’s revelation was profound, “She’s as beautiful to me as your wife is to you, John. Her heart longs for fulfillment and joy. She has hopes and aspirations, virtue and gifts, just as the woman in the foreground. You are suffering from a human condition, John; shell judging. Their shells are only physical, temporal. One day soon they will be gone, and in their place immortal, eternal spirits will be set free from the bondage of human judgment.”
As sure as John was that God had revealed a spiritual character defect, he was equally sure that it wouldn’t be an easy one to change.
“Ask for My eyes and heart, John,” God counseled. “You will never see people correctly unless you ask.”
†
Physical beauty is measured by outward appearance and is something the world holds in high esteem. True value and lasting virtue comes from a much deeper place. A place only God sees without our ‘looks’ slowing Him down. To Him we all look the same, beautiful! Sadly, many of us can’t see past the outer shell to a person’s soul, where true beauty and worth is revealed.
Psalm 139:14 says we are fearfully and wonderfully made. It does not say anything about physical beauty.
Isaiah 53:2 says, speaking of Jesus, “He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him.”
I wonder; if Jesus were to show up in a crowd of two, would we notice Him?
Prayer
“Give me Your eyes to see and Your heart to discern, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”
No comments:
Post a Comment