Now that is an interesting question isn't it? Do you see the beautiful fall colors or think "winter is coming?" Do you see the fantastic person in the mirror or see the "Albert Einstein" imitation hair? Do you see the wild teenager coming toward you or the young person trying to express themselves? When you see these things how do you react? Do you stop, get the facts, listen, and then react? Or do you react first and then stop to think?
First off let me tell you there are times when we all react first and then stop to think. Times when we tell our teenagers to go NOW to change clothes, makeup, hair (everything) before they take another step -- then stop to hear it is "crazy look" day at school. Times that we react with the same anger, and frustration, we are getting before we stop to listen to the person to hear what caused the frustration and anger. We all do this way more often than we should. We all know that hind sight is 20/20. We all have times we wish we could go back and change our reaction.
Today's Scripture is telling us that God sees our hearts NOT our appearances (or actions) first. 1 Samuel 16 is the report on Samuel going to anoint David. Starting with the oldest of Jesse's sons Samuel thinks "this is the one -- look how good he looks." God points out, to Samuel (and us!), about God seeing the heart. Jesus is pointing out, in John 7:24, "stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly." He is speaking to a group of Jews questioning his healing on the Sabbath. Both are pointing out the need to s-t-o-p and think before we react and definitely before we "judge."
In today's world, with all the things happening around us, it is hard to take the time to stop, and think, before we react. It is hard to make sure of the facts before we judge. I'm not saying these things are easy. I'm asking us to show our faith by starting to make some changes in ourselves before we "react" to what others are doing and saying. Strengthening our faith, through the power of the Holy Spirit, will not only strengthen our faith it will help us show God's love to those around us. What to you think? What do you see?
First off let me tell you there are times when we all react first and then stop to think. Times when we tell our teenagers to go NOW to change clothes, makeup, hair (everything) before they take another step -- then stop to hear it is "crazy look" day at school. Times that we react with the same anger, and frustration, we are getting before we stop to listen to the person to hear what caused the frustration and anger. We all do this way more often than we should. We all know that hind sight is 20/20. We all have times we wish we could go back and change our reaction.
Today's Scripture is telling us that God sees our hearts NOT our appearances (or actions) first. 1 Samuel 16 is the report on Samuel going to anoint David. Starting with the oldest of Jesse's sons Samuel thinks "this is the one -- look how good he looks." God points out, to Samuel (and us!), about God seeing the heart. Jesus is pointing out, in John 7:24, "stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly." He is speaking to a group of Jews questioning his healing on the Sabbath. Both are pointing out the need to s-t-o-p and think before we react and definitely before we "judge."
In today's world, with all the things happening around us, it is hard to take the time to stop, and think, before we react. It is hard to make sure of the facts before we judge. I'm not saying these things are easy. I'm asking us to show our faith by starting to make some changes in ourselves before we "react" to what others are doing and saying. Strengthening our faith, through the power of the Holy Spirit, will not only strengthen our faith it will help us show God's love to those around us. What to you think? What do you see?
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