I want you to answer a question for me. Ready, think of something beautiful... do you have it in your mind? Focus on it. Now decide what made it beautiful to you.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. Isaiah 55:8 (NIV)
But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." Isaiah 16:7 (NIV Italics mine)
I think I trapped you with the above question, sorry for that. But I wanted to point out how visual we are. When I think of something beautiful it's usually a serene outdoor scene vibrant with light, color, gentle breezes and even certain smells. It's just how we see beauty - with our five senses.
Now lets consider the kind of beauty God sees - beauty of the heart. If someone does something with the right motive, love, and has no prideful thoughts in the process how would that look to us? We just might miss it! If it doesn't involve our five senses, it isn't something we pick up on very easily.
God does give us a way to view someone's heart - by getting to know them. He is a relational God and we are supposed to be relational people! The only true way to know if someone's heart is beautiful, is to be in a relationship with them. Time will reveal their true heart.
God never intended us to walk through this life alone. He wants us to be in relationship with other believers and then we are called, The Body of Christ.
Now, think of someone you know who is beautiful on the inside and tell us about them!
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10 comments:
My friend Teri is beautiful on the inside -- caring, unselfish, supportive, compassionate, looks for the positive... plus she buys me chocolate! Can't beat that! :)
Sonya, this is great. I heard someone mention the relational thing yesterday. We like being with others. We like community. Yes, we are "The Body of Christ". Your post kind of ties in with mine, sort of. LOL, only like-minded people such and ourselves would catch it though.
One of my previous pastor's wives is who I'm thinking of this morning. She's everything a beautiful heart should be. I love her so much. I seek to have a beautiful "Godly" heart. I need to work on it more!
Happy Thursday.
This is a great post, Sonya. Really gives me something to think about. May i realize that being beautiful in Him is the most important thing.
In the beginning, you said to think of something beautiful. I thought of something that I'v never seen - a field of lavender. I can even smell it. Mmmmm... God's creation.
Blessings,
Janet
www.homeward4.blogspot.com
Awesome post! So true that God never intended us to walk alone, but so many people try it. They guard their hearts so as not to be hurt, and they carry their own burdens so as not to "bother" anyone.
This is what the Body is all about, bearing each other's burdens. Not carrying them FOR them, but sharing them WITH them. Sharing in the load, sharing in the pain and hurt; relational as you said.
My mom is beautiful on the inside! She is very open and giving, and she is beautiful to me!
This is a great post
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Sonya,
Please help me spread the word of a sister in Christ who so desperately needs help with a limited amount of time left.
http://godsheart-heart2heart.blogspot.com/2010/05/urgent-prayer-request.html
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
Hi Sonya,
It's so nice to be back in the blogosphere again!
I agree with you that God designed us to be relational. Our church highly values relationship and I'm SO grateful! Did you know that 90% of people who come to Christ after childhood do so because of their relationship with a believer?
One of the most beautiful (on the inside) people I know is our Associate Pastor's wife, Rhoda. She exudes the love of Christ and is truly one the most kind, loving, yet real people I know.
Blessings!
When I read your question I thought of my daughter Samantha. Sam was born with Cerebral Palsy because of a loss of oxygen due to her cord wrapping around her neck 3 times. When we go to dinner, shopping, or other places she gets a lot of ugly looks from people and kids make fun of her.
My sons have struggled with the way people treat Sam for many reasons. It's not because she isn't pretty because she is. People make fun of her because of the sounds she make. Sam can't speak but does what it takes to get her thoughts across.
Those who have walked into Sams world are given the opportunity to see the beauty God created within her and appreciate the love she has to offer.
I love what my sons have said many times. If people would stop and give Sam a moment of their time they would never laugh or make fun of her again.
My family feels that God uses specials needs (no matter what the need is, poor, homeless ect..) to teach the world the purest love there is! His!!
Samantha graduated High School last night and we couldn't be prouder..
Thanks for the post..
Cherie :)
Sonya:
I loved this because God could be doing all the work Himself [and to some degree He is] but instead He gives US [believers] the privilege of participting in His kingdom work - to encourage each other in His ways. Just this past week so many people have been coming here to Shepherd's Walk - to the Prayer Path to pray and the word of the hour is "connectedness" - how GOD is making these connections for us to uphold and encourage one another in our faith walk with Him. He has amazed me again with how 'small' our world really is and how we connect with the most unusual people for His purposes!
Many "divine appointments" have come this week!
He's a relational God and thus desries for us to be relational people.
Reminds me of the blind man in scripture whose parents were asked if that was really their son. Then the son answers questions about his healing from Jesus. He spreads the Word - saying, "all I know is that once I was blind and now I can see." [my paraphrase]. But it was his word telling another - and another and another.
We ARE the BODY of Christ - as you have said! I believe that God is calling us back to that simple faith family - like the early church in Acts.
Great post!
Choosing JOY, Stephanie
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