Have you ever bitten into an apple, which looked perfect on the outside, only to discover it was bruised and rotten on the inside? It’s not a pleasant experience, is it?
On the other hand, consider the Ugli Fruit. It’s not the prettiest fruit out there; with its wrinkly, greenish-yellow skin; but inside, this Jamaican tangelo has a sweet, citrus flavor.
The Bible says in 1 Samuel 16:7, “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
In this world, where so often we are judged by our outward appearance; where politicians act like school children, insulting their opponents looks; and where someone may call the cops on you just because of the color of your skin, I’m glad our Heavenly Father looks deep inside and judges us, not by our looks, but by our heart.
Today, as you interact with others, ask God to “give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you….” Pray that he will “remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh,” a heart which beats only for Him and with love for others.
And while you’re at it, ask God to also give you “salve to put on your eyes, so you can see” past a person’s outward appearance to the hurting child of God trembling within.
Remember none of us are all that pretty in God’s eyes, but we are all precious in His sight. Let’s treat each other that way today.