Friday, April 26, 2013

By: Gwen Hitt

Mirror, Mirror

1 Samuel 16:7   "For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

In preparation for my 40th class reunion, I have had my hair colored and cut. I have also had my nails done. Finally, I am planning a last minute shopping trip to see if I could find an outfit that has the "heavenly" ability to hide the pounds that I have not been successful in losing!

In a conversation with one of my co-workers I admitted that I may be able to hide the gray, conceal some of my blemishes, and even create the illusion that I have shed a few pounds .... BUT .... there is no way to hide the wrinkles that are reflective of my age! After all, I am 40 years older than when we were in high school!

Although I have made an effort to improve my appearance for this momentous event, I am grateful for my understanding that God does not focus on the outward appearance. Rather, I am assured in today's scripture that God's concern is my HEART ----- not my wrinkles....not my extra pounds....not the gray in my hair! He cares more about how I treat others than how I look!

After participating in her 30th college reunion, Mary Schmich wrote in her Chicago Tribune column, "Once you get used to the fact that time has robbed every single one of you of something - or added it in the wrong places . . . you stop thinking about looks [and] start talking about life."   I believe that these words penned by Ms. Schmich truly captures what we will hopefully be doing at my reunion - what we should be doing in our everyday life....TALKING ABOUT LIFE!!!

My challenge to you - my challenge to me - IS to always look at others through God's eyes. Since there are so many hurts in this world, I believe that we should commit ourselves to focusing more on the inner beauty of those we come into contact with than their outer appearances. After all, that's what God sees!!!

Dear Lord, I pray that You help me live my life in such a way that You will be pleased with what You see in my heart. When I look into the mirror, I want my image to be reflective of the "fairest One of all" --- JESUS!

I thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.