A few days ago I wrote a blog titled “I Met My Thoughts In the Flesh” which shared about a horrible experience that happened to me.
This morning, I read an email from my mentor in response to that blog and WOW! It puts a wonderful spin to this topic. I loved her insight so much that I cannot help but pass it forward! She titled her email New Eyes to See:
1 Samuel 16:7b – …for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
I thought for some time on what you said in your blog…
Why is it that we are SO OFTEN preoccupied with people’s (and ourselves) outward appearance? I believe, for certain, that it is satan’s work. GOD said HE created us. We are HIS handiwork. Who can truly question our worth? But satan preoccupies us with such thoughts…and often. I believe to distract us from focusing on where our true beauty (or refinement) lies… in our heart. In the depths of our relationship with our Creator.
The problem I see with so much preoccupation, is that we start to see ourselves and others through the same distorted lens… Am I “prettier” or is she? Is he “hotter” than the guy I am more connected with that REALLY loves God and would truly be committed to both of us…GOD first?
We see someone on the street and measure ourselves against them. Really? Is there such a measuring stick? Not according to God. Not in that sense anyway. Not in outward appearance…but yes, in our heart. Are we sold out for God? Are we growing in our relationship with Him? Is that person next to me on the bus/plane with a bigger nose or “pretty eyes” more desired by God? No! But could we miss their (and our daily… minute by minute…like air in our lungs) need for a close relationship with their (our) Creator [as we are preoccupied with appearances]? Yes! No matter what stage of their relationship with Him they are in. Are we concerned about [their soul] above how we all “look” to each other?
Your musings got me musing too and I hope some of this challenges you the same way it did me.
I am glad for the honesty, and rudeness of that man if it changes the way you (and hopefully, now some others) view people.
The funny thing is… SOOOOO many are preoccupied with YOUR outward appearance. They wish they were like YOU… and their preoccupation can cause them to miss the heart of God.
The song Give Me Your Eyes by Brandon Heath came to my mind…
Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see Everything that I keep missing
Give your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken-hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Give me your eyes for just one second Give me your eyes so I can see Everything that I keep missing That I keep missing Give me your arms for the broken-hearted The ones that are far beyond my reach. Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten Give me Your eyes so I can see.
What if we all really saw people the way God does…in need of a Savior…every minute of everyday… No matter what stage of their relationship they are in at the time with Him?
Let’s be preoccupied with that!
I know this is not a refined message as it is typed hurriedly, but I hope you will find a challenge… and a huge hug from me (and God) here.
1 Samuel 16:7b – …for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
** End of Email **
I pass this challenge on to you as well. May we look beyond what a person looks like & care more about the condition of their soul, which is eternal and does not fade. I pray the Lord will give us New Eyes to See <3
A few days ago I wrote a blog titled “I Met My Thoughts In the Flesh” which shared about a horrible experience that happened to me.
This morning, I read an email from my mentor in response to that blog and WOW! It puts a wonderful spin to this topic. I loved her insight so much that I cannot help but pass it forward! She titled her email New Eyes to See:
1 Samuel 16:7b – …for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
I thought for some time on what you said in your blog…
Why is it that we are SO OFTEN preoccupied with people’s (and ourselves) outward appearance? I believe, for certain, that it is satan’s work. GOD said HE created us. We are HIS handiwork. Who can truly question our worth? But satan preoccupies us with such thoughts…and often. I believe to distract us from focusing on where our true beauty (or refinement) lies… in our heart. In the depths of our relationship with our Creator.
The problem I see with so much preoccupation, is that we start to see ourselves and others through the same distorted lens… Am I “prettier” or is she? Is he “hotter” than the guy I am more connected with that REALLY loves God and would truly be committed to both of us…GOD first?
We see someone on the street and measure ourselves against them. Really? Is there such a measuring stick? Not according to God. Not in that sense anyway. Not in outward appearance…but yes, in our heart. Are we sold out for God? Are we growing in our relationship with Him? Is that person next to me on the bus/plane with a bigger nose or “pretty eyes” more desired by God? No! But could we miss their (and our daily… minute by minute…like air in our lungs) need for a close relationship with their (our) Creator [as we are preoccupied with appearances]? Yes! No matter what stage of their relationship with Him they are in. Are we concerned about [their soul] above how we all “look” to each other?
Your musings got me musing too and I hope some of this challenges you the same way it did me.
I am glad for the honesty, and rudeness of that man if it changes the way you (and hopefully, now some others) view people.
The funny thing is… SOOOOO many are preoccupied with YOUR outward appearance. They wish they were like YOU… and their preoccupation can cause them to miss the heart of God.
The song Give Me Your Eyes by Brandon Heath came to my mind…
Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see Everything that I keep missing
Give your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken-hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Give me your eyes for just one second Give me your eyes so I can see Everything that I keep missing That I keep missing Give me your arms for the broken-hearted The ones that are far beyond my reach. Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten Give me Your eyes so I can see.
What if we all really saw people the way God does…in need of a Savior…every minute of everyday… No matter what stage of their relationship they are in at the time with Him?
Let’s be preoccupied with that!
I know this is not a refined message as it is typed hurriedly, but I hope you will find a challenge… and a huge hug from me (and God) here.
1 Samuel 16:7b – …for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
** End of Email **
I pass this challenge on to you as well. May we look beyond what a person looks like & care more about the condition of their soul, which is eternal and does not fade. I pray the Lord will give us New Eyes to See <3
