I Samuel 16:7 –

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 men look at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

The words, scripture and music I have been posting weekly have been changing me, probably more than anyone else. Honestly, this post has been difficult to write because it has taken me back into the process of healing and restoration. Yet, the end result has been one of gratitude.

Growing up as a red-headed, freckle-faced girl, it was hard for me to see or understand beauty within.

Growing up poor left very little available for adequate food or clothing.

In an abusive alcoholic home one learns to be a survivor.  It leaves very little room to experience acceptance and nurturing of the heart.  Through the years, I learned how to stow away the bits and pieces deep within that the abuser was not allowed to enter into.  The broken and shattered parts where hidden, shielded and guarded by escaping into a secret place within or momentarily finding peace in my driven spirit and desire to seek the outside world with adventure and imagination.

In spite of the outward appearance, deep inside I knew there was a heavenly Father who understood. In the quiet, darkness of my room I would often escape into my secret place to speak to him.  Many tears would flow and many years would pass before I would understand the Lord looks at the heart.

We look at the outward appearance, beating ourselves up for overindulging too much through the holiday months.  New Year’s resolutions to get into shape and make changes come and go with little to no results.

We compare ourselves to others around us and are disgruntled as we imagine a different person than the reflection in the mirror. As March brings the early signs of spring, the pressure is on to continue to look at the outward appearance only to find we are still out of shape, out of balance, or out of sorts. Our images are distorted, just like these pictures.

Often beauty, value and worth of a person are measured by the outward appearance and false standards of the world. When we compare ourselves to the world’s image and don’t measure up, we walk away beaten and discouraged.

Pull away from the false standards for measuring beauty, value and worth. There is another standard to live by. It welcomes the not so perfect, somewhat cracked and utterly broken.

…but the Lord looks at the heart.

Our loving, wise and gracious Lord says we are precious in his sight.  He loves us just as we are and because we trust him enough, he transforms us into someone far more beautiful than the world could ever understand.

True, lasting beauty comes from within. True beauty, value and worth comes from the heart. True change and transformation begins in the heart.

Christ knocks at the door of our hearts. All one needs to do is invite Him in. He gives the power and strength to change and transform us. When we ask, he is faithful to flood the eyes of our hearts with light to know and understand the hope to which He has called us. He gives us a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the deep and intimate knowledge of Himself.

Easter is a celebration of new life (in the risen Christ), new beginnings and transformation of the heart. If you have not invited Christ in your life, all you need to do is confess before him with a repentant heart you are a sinner and in need of his mercy, grace and love. Ask him to come and live in your heart to be changed and transformed into his image. He is faithful to do so through the Holy Spirit as you seek him out, pray and study his Word.

For those of us who are already living the new life in Christ, may we start anew and refreshed to continue to be changed inwardly.

In time, the false images and standards for measuring melt away.

As your heart turns and is transformed, you won’t be able to stop singing along with Paul Baloche, Hosanna – Save Us We Pray! (Please click the link).

Bless you.