Ugly On the Inside

I came in late from work one day and had no idea what I was going to cook.  I decided that a breakfast supper would be quick and easy. I fried bacon and eggs, and I thought I'd try cooking some Pillsbury biscuits in the air fryer. After several minutes, I commented to Rusty that they were the best-looking canned biscuits I’d ever seen. They had risen perfectly and were a beautiful golden color. Too bad I didn't know to flip them halfway through the cooking process. As I lifted the first one from the basket, I discovered that the bottom was completely raw, and the inside wasn't much better.

Sometime later, I went into a local Dollar General that I hadn't visited much. It wasn't one of the new metal buildings that seem to magically pop up overnight every few miles down the road. Instead, it was an older block building that looked like it could use a coat of paint and had definitely seen its better days. Although the outside wasn't very appealing, I was surprised to find that the inside was neat, organized, and fully stocked with more items than I'm used to seeing in one of their stores. As I left, I told the cashier how impressed I was with the inside. I could tell it meant a lot for someone to compliment the old store.

Both of the above are examples of how we shouldn’t judge things by outward appearance only. We've all been guilty of it. Whether it be people, places, or things, there have been times when we’ve been pleasantly surprised or extremely disappointed because we had preconceived notions based on outward appearances. 

God sets the example for us about what's important when it comes to people. In 1 Samuel, we're told that He doesn't look to outward appearances but looks on the heart. In Jeremiah, we're told that He searches the heart and tests the mind to judge according to our deeds.  

If God thinks it's important to judge inwardly, that's what we should focus on when dealing with others.  Even more so, we should examine our own hearts and make sure that we aren't ugly on the inside as others have to deal with us.  My prayer this week is that I focus less on judging outwardly and more on making sure I'm prepared to be searched and tested by our creator.  

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” -1 Samuel 16:7

“I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”  -Jeremiah 17:10

Search Me O God - The Cathedrals

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