Look at their Heart First

I 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.

As Americans, we are so superficial at times with our over emphasis on outer beauty, our infatuation with beauty contests and modeling competitions where mobs of young women fight each other over the chance to be America’s Next Top Model. Isn’t a model supposed to be a replica of something ideal? Beauty is not some thin young lady with a horrible attitude belittling her competition to grace a cover with a smile that hides the superficiality of her heart. Beauty is not some man with a killer smile, killer abs, and murderous heart.

How many times does the scenario play itself out in the movies, when the woman goes to look for prince charming, falls for tall, dark and handsome passing up average height, not as good looking and obscure only to figure out in the end that the average guy has a wonderful heart? Why is that? We miss so many great people because of the Superficial emphasis on outer appearance.

There are some ‘beautiful” people who are absolutely horrific and shallow on the inside. Some of the people we idolize as Superstars we would never want to meet because we would be disillusioned once we saw their hearts.

When God sent the Prophet Samuel to look for Israel’s next top model or replica of divine leadership, he sent him to Jesse’s house. The first son came out and Samuel was impressed with appearance. He hadn’t said anything, didn’t take any tests, didn’t produce any diplomas, but Samuel was ready to make him King. Maybe it’s because God’s last choice, Saul, happened to be tall dark and handsome, but God told Samuel that’s where you are wrong. This is how we go wrong when picking a new King/leader/spouse/employee:

1. Looking at outward appearance. Never Judge a book by its cover make sure you look at its content. Now the cover should get you interested, but you better be a good reader.

2. Picking from the past. God is known for being a paradigm shifter. Just because he moved one way in the past doesn’t mean he will not change in the future. Israel’s first king was tall dark and handsome, their next one was average height and ruddy. Don’t miss your next because you looking for your Ex.

3. Picking from the pecking order. Jesus said the first shall be last and the last shall be first. Samuel started with the oldest and went through all eight of Jesse’s sons until he got to the youngest.

4. Looking for Age and Tenure over Ability. We almost missed out on Electing Barack Obama because of this issue. “He’s too young and doesn’t have enough experience.” Yet President Obama is gifted, educated, and able to lead on the world’s stage.

I’m so glad God looks past our outward appearance and sees our heart. If we could learn to look at people’s hearts first it could save us from a lot of heartache and heartbreak.

How do you see the heart first?

1. Listen. Out of the mouth the heart speaks.

2. Watch them. You shall know a tree by the fruit it bears.

3. Pray over them and leave them alone for a season. If they are the one, then their anointing will make them rise above the rest.

David was anointed as a shepherd, a blue collar worker. He got promoted to Armor bearer for the King. Then he went through a wilderness experience where he got fired (unjustifiably out of jealousy) and lived in a cave. Then he came back to be king. You don’t judge a man by what happens to him, but how he responds over time.

Dear God, thank you for seeing my heart when everybody else passed me up. I was the least likely to be picked but you made me a leader. I will not let you down. You have my heart and I want to be a man after your own heart. Make me right.

In Jesus Name.

Amen.