"For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7b
In this time of COVID, it's not very often that I need to get dressed (for the public) and put on makeup. But the other day I found myself having to do so. As I stood there putting the finishing touches on my eyebrows, I did a cursory glance over and gave myself a fictional pat on the back for a job well done. Two fully formed eyebrows complete and I was almost ready. Peering in closer to the mirror, I started next on my eyeliner when I noticed it. There was a gap between where my eyebrow ended (naturally) and the bottom stroke in my earlier artwork. I had left a gaping space that would have been obvious to anyone paying attention up close. I was headed to a doctor's appointment. He probably wouldn't notice. I would be one of many patients he'd see that day. But now that I knew I had to do something about it. Right?
Sometimes we miss things that seem obvious at first glance. It could be that we are moving too fast or that we see what we want to see, instead of what is. It's only when we stop and look closely that the truth reveals itself. Things may look good from afar. We may even pat ourselves on the back in mere self-righteousness. But our praise is undeserved; our approval short-sighted because we're not considering the full picture. And when this happens we unwillingly open ourselves up to... the world and all of its unkindness and judgment.
Perhaps you've been there before. The words didn't come out the way you intended. They knew what you meant. Right? It wasn't supposed to be controversial, just a quick selfie. So why is everyone leaving crazy comments on your post? You love Jesus... and trap music. You're still saved. Right? It's so easy to judge. It is virtually effortless and you can get almost anyone to co-sign on your judgment if you frame it properly. You know under the guise of the well-meaning Christian worried about the salvation and souls of the tarnished.
But, isn't it good to know that even on our worst days, God sees our best intentions? No, that doesn't excuse our behavior. But what God does for us is something that no human can do. He looks beyond the surface- our external shell that is so concerned with how the world views us - and sees our heart. In even our most intimate relationships there is a space into which the other person cannot enter; things that they will never know. That is because they will never know us as well as the one who created us. In fact, we will never know ourselves as well as the one who created us.
How comforting to know that God sees me in all of my flaws and imperfections and loves me still. He sees the image I put before the world and knows the true intentions behind it. That gives me pause as I work to make sure that my inner self (heart) aligns with what God has called me to be and peace, knowing that he considers my heart when I miss the mark.
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