Seeing Beyond Appearances

This morning, I was reading… Saul has been a disappointing king of Israel. The prophet Samuel, tasked with finding the next king, goes to Jesse’s house. Jesse has eight sons. The eldest, Eliab, is a good-looking young man. Samuel’s God says to 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.’

My mind went back to yesterday’s conversations… seeing beyond appearances…

…A friend who helps in a local Salvation Army kitchen explained how when he started going, he found it easy to judge those who come by the way they look…

…Conversations about cancer treatments… An annual check up that’s approached with apprehension… a post-op scan that detected further cancer… Feelings and external appearances aren’t always correct.

…One friend I’d not chatted to for a while looked the same and smiled the same, but it was clear that his dementia had deteriorated.

…Several friends using language that‘s filled with expletives, expressing strong opinions about f***ing this and f***ing that. Their sometimes-aggressive speech often covers a kindly, gentle character.

Yesterday was filled with reminders: outward appearance don’t tell the whole story. Jumping to conclusions isn’t helpful.

The Bible narrative continues with the teenage, shepherd-boy David, equipped with a sling and stones, defeating the giant, well-armoured, experienced soldier Goliath. David’s victory is a great example of not judging by appearances… of not jumping to conclusions regarding an ‘inevitable’ outcome

Lessons for me today… Today I will endeavour to

…Reflect further… Individuals I encounter today… seeing the difference between appearances and hidden reality, first impressions and what may lie beneath.

…Recognise that I do have prejudices; much as I like to think I’m prejudice-free I can be judgemental about others

…Remember that judging by outward appearances leads me to fear my giants and my demons, rather than discovering that they can be defeated.

…Rejoice and celebrate when I see beyond, through external appearances to the good, kind, courageous people in my life.