What He Sees in You

  “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart of man.”

Samuel 16 vs 7

As some of you know, I love my running, and usually go for a run four to five times a week. My early morning run is something that has very much become a part of who I am, and I can honestly say that there are often times when I literally jump out of bed because of the excitement of that particular morning’s run, be-it in the sublime surroundings or Cassiobury Park, or the solitude of Whippendell Wood. At least four times out of five, there’s a particular old lady I see whenever I do so. Due to running in opposite directions, we always cross each other, face to face, so to speak. I love to greet people with a smile, a hello or a wave when crossing them, but when I first came across this lady a year ago, I tried but simply couldn’t. She just seemed so unfriendly. In the blink of an eye, I placed her in a box labelled, ‘Unfriendly Person: Do Not Approach’. For several months, she was one of the very few people I didn’t greet. Whenever I came across her, I either fixed my eyes on the pavement beneath me, or on the horizon ahead. Then about six months ago, something strange happened. Despite not wanting to say hello, both my eyes and lips disobeyed me. Like an imperious fool, I smiled and said, “Good morning, how are you?” The result? Her eyes lit up, and she waved at me. I went from being exasperated by my naive recklessness to being captivated by one of the kindest and most enchanting smiles I’ve ever seen. To say her smile illuminated my morning would be a gross understatement. I now look forward to experiencing her radiance whenever I’m running.

We humans all too often judge by appearances, and it is probably one of our biggest failings. We are too quick to make snap decisions based on what we see. Unfortunately, the age of social media has further exacerbated matters. How we can overcome this is quite beyond me, but at least we can be grateful that our God doesn’t judge from appearances as we do. His focus is on our hearts. In other words, he isn’t so much interested in the piety of an individual’s conduct in church, how many times a day he or she reads the bible, or how rigidly his commandments are obeyed, but much more in what lies in the heart. Now, please don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying reading the bible and doing our best to walk in line with his word isn’t important. Of-course it is. But we are human, and we will err from time to time. It is for this reason that Jesus died for us. So, why the need for the perception of perfection? A loving and kind heart is more important and special to God than sacrifices and doctrines.

The second part of this message is specifically for you from God.

‘Focus not on how you look or where you are. I created you, and my plans for you are good. I made you in my likeness, and I know where I am taking you.

Trust in me, and take that first step.

Think not of your circumstances compared to others. Trust that I am God and that I am good.

Take that first step.

Consider not the way you’re feeling, for it is not of the truth. I see you. I see how marvellous and wonderful you are. I see the beauty and magnificence inside you.

Think not of what others might think or say of you. The only thing that matters is what I see in you.

You are just as I made you – gifted and talented, loving and kind, fearless and extraordinary.

You are my beloved child, and I will always be with you.

Trust me this morning, and take that first step.’