Thanks to author Colette Williams
At the Bus Stop
Read 1 Samuel 16:1 and 6-12
“.. .People look at the outside appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)
I arrived at the bus stop with my 3-year-old son and looked at the other commuters already there. One lady stood out from the others because of her stern face, seemingly set in permanent lines of unyielding harshness. My son however, not given to rash judgements, approached the bench where she was sitting and, looking into her eyes, engaged her in conversation.
“Hello, what’s your name?” he asked, placing a gentle hand on her knee. And before my eyes, the stern face dissolved and her eyes softened as she responded to the irresistible charm of a golden-haired toddler with big blue eyes.
How often we make snap judgements about people, based on the flimsiest of evidence. And how often do we miss out on rich relationships because we haven’t taken the trouble to get to know people we have judged to be not worth the effort. The Bible tells us that “God looks at the heart”. Jesus touched people that others shunned. He wants us to be his hands and his heart and his voice to those who may seem unapproachable or unattractive.
Some will bloom instantly, like the lady at the bus stop.
With others we may have to dig deeper to find the beauty or the potential, but everyone is worth the effort. After all, that’s what God did with us, and he’s still doing it!
Prayer: Lord, help us to see others through your eyes of love.
Thought for the Day
Don’t judge a book by its cover!
AWE & WONDER.
“.. .In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope… and into an inheritance that can never perish.. .” 1 Peter 1:3-4.
My children loved ice-cream, but I preferred to give them fruit for dessert so ice-cream was only an occasional treat in our house. Then they went to stay with a family where ice-cream was the norm for dessert but when they came home they headed straight for the fruit bowl! Even our favourite things can lose their appeal through over-exposure.
As Christians it’s very easy to take our faith for granted. We can’t see it or touch it and what Jesus has done for us often remains a thought in the back of our minds while we go about our ‘real’ living.
Just think of somebody loving us enough to die for us. Then think of somebody loving us enough to give us forgiveness, purpose, peace, and confidence for the future. Anyone of these would be priceless! Then think of eternity in the presence of God, with no more death, weeping or pain, where we are filled with “an inexpressible and glorious joy” as we receive the salvation of our souls.
These things should never be taken for granted, but form the foundation of our lives and our priorities, and motivation for our witness in the world. May we never lose that sense of awe and excitement at what God has done for us in Jesus.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Look at God’s gifts with fresh eyes.
PRAYER FOCUS
For those who have lost their sense of awe.
