‘For 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 (NIV)
If you are a social media aficionado or even if you have taken the odd rare trip to the news feed on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, you are familiar with the bombardment of updated news stories, the latest baby pictures, holiday snaps or the latest gadgets, fashion trends and nearby events that greet you! After as little as under a minute of casual browsing, we can be left feeling overwhelmed, depressed or a little or a lot more inadequate than before. Bombarded with things we see in another person or persons that we seemingly lack that we feel would make our situation, circumstances, health or sense of self-worth greater, we give into the lie that comparison brings. In the end we end up regretting our original curiosity and a become a little more reserved at connecting with a world that has made us feel self-conscious and introspective. Studies have shown a correlating trend in the rise of mental health issues such as depression and low self-esteem with the rise of social media. This is not an indictment of social media which can be a fantastic place to socially connect, exchange news, views and ideas and remain connected to the world around you. Yet the downside is that it has opened the door more easily to comparison and the distorted picture it gives us about our own identity. In our increasingly social media saturated culture, we are feeling more isolated and alone and crying out for authentic connection. Social media rarely if ever provides a full picture of someone’s life and the inner workings, feelings, deepest longings, struggles and hurts of their heart. In short, we want to be known, fully and deeply known and loved.
This is where the verse in 1 Samuel 16:7 provides a wonderful and comforting reality when it comes to our longing to be known and understanding where our true value lies. ‘For the Lord does not look at the things people look at: people look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’ God sees your heart, your struggles, your doubts, fears, failures and knows you intimately. In receiving Jesus, you received an invitation into the accepting, loving embrace of God as a perfect Heavenly Father who knows you like no other and loves you like no other. Psalm 139:14 says that we “are fearfully and wonderfully made” and that “his works are wonderful.” You and I are the wonderful works of God’s hand and our value to him is not based on external appearances or achievements but because he made you unique and you have the divine imprint of being made in his image within you. So today come out of hiding and embrace the person you are, for you are a beloved child of God created in his image, a unique expression of his creativity and power. Allow God to meet you where you are at and get into agreement with how He sees you. For you truly are his masterpiece, without exception (Ephesians 2:10). You are loveable and loved period.
As you let that this wonderful truth sink in, it is important to remember that we are called not only to recognise this truth in ourselves but also in others. It can be easy to measure ourselves against others and judge them on “outward appearance” whether career, wealth, social background or status or by their blemishes. we see as today’s verse implies. Jesus however is clear in calling us not to judge and dismiss others (Matthew 7:1-3) for the reason that today’s verse implies: that God alone fully knows someone’s heart, who they are, what they have been through and we do not. That does not mean condoning wrong behaviour, but we should follow the example of our saviour who extends the same loving compassion to those we may be tempted to judge in their brokenness as he does in ours. With the ultimate sacrifice by God of yielding his son to redeem mankind, there is an invitation for each us to receive today afresh the intimate hand of a loving Heavenly Father embracing us as his child. As we then extend compassion and kindness to others that we ourselves have received, we walk in the footsteps of our saviour as sons and daughters we were made to be.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you so much that you know everything about me and love me intimately. Thank you that Jesus has given me a new identity as your child and that Jesus and going to the cross for me really shows me how much I mean to you and the extent of your loving heart. Forgive me when I doubt that I am good enough or acceptable as I am and when I’m tempted to compare myself to others, judge them or look down on them. I choose today to walk in my true identity as the child you love and accept myself as you accept me and love others with the compassion that you have shown me seeing your reflection in them. In Jesus name Amen.
Abba's Dearly Beloved 