Don’t Judge A Book By It’s Cover:.

Do you remember that scene in the movies, or in real life, where the kids are picking sides for dodge ball? The bigger, older, and more athletic kids always get picked first. Inevitably it comes down to the last two kids to be picked. One of them is the science nerd; complete with taped glasses, pocket protector, and nasally voice that might remind you of Steve Urkel from ABC’s show called Family Ties. The other kid left sitting there is actually in a wheel chair; and he gets picked first!

While that might be a bit exaggerated, I think we can all relate in some way. Not only can we relate, but we’re probably guilty of doing it too! I remember meeting a couple this past year. The gentlemen was a nice guy, average looking, seemed to be in his mid 40’s. His wife, just as nice; quite pretty, and clearly under 30. My immediate thought was that he somehow robbed the cradle or was quite wealthy; making her a gold digger! Yes, I know – I SHOULD BE ASHAMED! After getting to know them, they were both quite nice people and were in fact about to celebrate the 25th anniversary! Talk about judging a book by its cover.

In 1 Samuel Chapter 16 we find Samuel, a Priest, being instructed by God to go to Bethlehem and anoint one of Jesse’s seven sons to be the next King. Samuel didn’t know which of Jesse’s sons was to be the next King. Therefore each one was brought before Samuel; just like the kids in the gym, Jesse brought the oldest first, the bigger, the more athletic; assuming God wants one of them. Steve Urkel was still out in the meadows tending the sheep! Yep, David was the nerd left sitting on the bench; the last one to be brought before Samuel, and the one to be chosen and anointed by God as the next king!

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 says: “Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

As we seek after God’s own heart, we need to realize that God does not judge others based on any external factors. He chooses, anoints, blesses, and judges based on what is on the inside: your Faith and the condition of your Heart. These are the factors that guide or determine not only your decisions but also your intent.