by Kala Loptien

The Heart Matters

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking the Sound Cloud link.

“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 English Standard Version

My daughter and I sat at the table for lunch the other day, mesmerized by the glittery glow of a snow globe. The sun poured over our table and we stared at the frozen scene inside. I told her I needed to do some important writing and asked if she had any ideas for me. She was quick to answer: “You should write about how it doesn’t matter what’s on the outside.”

A pretty straightforward notion: it’s what’s on the inside that counts; beauty is only skin deep; and, my favorite, don’t judge a book by its cover. Having been in the marketing world, I learned a thing or two about cover judging. In fact, marketing/branding is all about the way things look on the surface and people’s perception. It’s how the world sells itself. We fall into the trap too; getting wrapped up in our own brand, how we appear and our identity as measured by the world’s standard.

The world’s gold standard for what counts fails miserably when measured alongside God’s standard. We see it mentioned throughout His Word. In our verse for today, Samuel learns this lesson when the Lord leads him to anoint the youngest of Jesse’s sons. Later, that same son, King David, helps us confess and request a clean heart. In Jeremiah, we are told the Lord searches the heart. Peter advises we adorn the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit.

Lord, keep us ever mindful of what matters — that these hearts you so wonderfully made belong to you.

Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado