Wednesday, May 29, 2013

By: Gwen Hitt

Appearances Can Be Deceiving

Proverbs 31:30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.

As my daughter and I gazed at the exquisite beauty of the wildflowers freely growing on the Texas landscape, we became intrigued with the flowering cactus. The beautiful yellow flowers were so appealing to the eye, However, we wondered aloud how a plant capable of causing intense pain could also possess the ability to produce such gorgeous flowers.

If you have ever accidentally touched a cactus plant or brushed up against one, you are well-aware of the pain I am referring to. The irritation that occurs almost instantly is actually a result of contact with the almost invisible hair-like spines that can easily detach from the plant and lodge deeply in the skin -- making the process of removing them extremely difficult.

When reflecting on the pain that something so beautiful can cause, I was reminded of today's scripture. So many times, we are attracted to a person solely based on charm and beauty. We are instantly drawn to them. Then, upon closer scrutiny OR heartache, we sadly discover that this person is not who we originally envisioned.

Just as close contact with the beautiful flowering cactus can cause pain, we have to deal with the havoc inflicted on our lives by these individuals. Unfortunately, much damage can be done before their true character is revealed.

The ending of today's scripture reminds us that God is more concerned about our relationship with Him than our attempts to portray an outer beauty. He focuses on the inside.

In fact, the following instruction is given to us in 1 Peter 3:3-4 "Don't be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God." This should be what we are looking for in others as well.

Always remember that character flaws are revealed upon closer inspection just as the tiny hurtful spines of the beautiful cactus plants can be detected and avoided. My challenge to you is to always closely examine the lives of those you encounter before getting too close to them. Psalm 1:1 advises us to never "follow the advice of the wicked." We should ALWAYS share God's love to everyone but should choose Godly, encouraging people to pour into our lives.

Dear Lord, I pray that I am always mindful of the importance of Godly relationships in my life. Give me wisdom in all things.

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.