The Lord Looks At The Heart

"But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.'" 1 Samuel 16:7

When the Lord sent Samuel to anoint the next king over Israel, Samuel saw the stature of Eliab and thought for sure this one must be the one. But, the Lord let him know that He had not chosen the next king of Israel by his outward appearance. In the end, it was Jesse's youngest son, just a shepherd in the field, who was called to be anointed to be the next king.

In the spring when the dandelions begin to bloom, my husband is in a hurry to get rid of them. I see the yellow blossoms as doing no harm. They are a sign of spring and I enjoy their presence in my yard. We each have a different perspective on what we see or hear. We see things differently. My husband sees weeds. I see flowers; a gift from God that are, in fact, consumable.

God see things a whole lot differently than we do. So what does God see when He looks into our hearts? Our neighbors may see our hearts as dark as the night. But, what does God see? Does he see a child in pain who has not yet learned how to deal with life around him? Does he see a heart that is aching for only the peace that He can give? 

No one; but, God, can know what is truly in the heart of another person. Whether good or evil; whether a weed or a flower, only God can know for sure.

Who knows? The next weed that you try to destroy just might be a treasured flower; a beloved and chosen child of God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Job 26 - Outer Fringes

Job is being just a bit facetious.  He rebukes Bildad - you think you're wise?  LOL!!  His words are a reminder that we are nothing in comparison to God.  In fact, even the things we know (or think we know) about God are nothing in comparison to whom God actually is.  As Job put it, these things "are but the outer fringe of his works; how faint the whisper we hear of him! Who then can understand the thunder of his power?” (vs 14 NIV)

Those things that we do know about God are pretty great.  Just think, there are even more marvelous things about Him that we can't even begin to comprehend!

I have to share a little of my flight back from Austin, TX today, with you. First off, that is why this blog is so late.  Flights were booked back to back and there was no time for connecting to wifi anywhere.  Then, when I did get home, we went to a fund-raiser supper for our new roof and furnace at the Aura Lutheran Church.  I enjoyed being in Texas.  It has been very dry (until last night).  The landscape is definitely unique - rough - but - beautiful in its own way.  It was also a sad time, as I was there for the funeral of our friend and brother in Christ, Pat Whelan.  On the flight home today, though, I tried to make time fly, by watching the landscapes below.  I kept looking for that green stuff on the surface of the earth.  But, about all that I saw was brown, patchwork pieces in various shades of brown.  The view began to change the closer we got to Green Bay and then as we crossed the line between Wisconsin and Upper Michigan it was like crossing into another world.  Beneath us, there appeared a magnificent flower garden.  So far below, the fall leaves appeared as a vast and vibrant garden, as far as the eye could see.  The multitude of sunlit lakes and rivers were of various shades of blue as the wispy clouds cast shadows over them.  It was absolutely amazing!  I have never been on a color tour like that!  And all that... is but the outer fringes of His work, just a faint whisper of His glory!

God's Peace - Pr. J