Devotion: Beauty
1 Samuel 16:7
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
What does it mean for a person to be beautiful?
Most everyone wakes up in the morning and heads for the bathroom to brush their teeth and shower. We spend time choosing what to wear and look in the mirror to check that it’s acceptable. We dry our hair and fix it how we like it, making sure it stays in place by using some sort of product. Women take care of their skin with lotions and makeup. Men make sure their razors and nose hair trimmers have sharp blades. Families fill bike trails and gyms several times a week.
But is that what makes us beautiful?
There is no doubt that I want all the people around me to do those things. I don’t want to sit next to someone who hasn’t showered or applied deodorant in a few days. I try not to stare at faces with crooked or missing teeth. I see people working out with toned triceps and I work harder to try to make my arms jiggle less.
But is that what God thinks is beautiful?
The words in 1st Samuel tell us that God doesn’t define beauty in the same way that we do. “The Lord looks on the heart.” God doesn’t really care if I’m having a good hair day, or if I burned 300 calories on the elliptical. God sees beauty when I fill needs at the Food Bank or Clinic with a Heart. God sees beauty when I do my job without grumbling, and when I choose words that build others up instead of cutting them with sarcasm or criticism. God sees beauty when I offer mercy and give someone a second chance.
This weekend, Pastor Michelle asked us to share photos of inner beauty on social media. If you want to participate, please make your photo public, tag Sheridan with the address @sheridanluthLNK, and use the hashtag #godsbeautyslc. You may also email pictures to photos@sheridanlutheran.org.
Dear Gracious Father,
Please work in us and give us a desire to chase after the things that you find most beautiful. We know you see each child of God as beautiful. Build our hearts to see beauty in others and to find beauty in our daily moments. Thank you for making us a part of this beautiful world.
In your precious Son’s name,
Amen
Written by Julie Anderson
Julie Anderson is a member of Sheridan’s Devotion Writing Team. She works part-time as Sheridan’s Children’s Music Coordinator where she is passionate about teaching children to use their musical gifts to praise God. Julie is married to Scott and counts her greatest honor as being mom to Adrienne, Eliot and Elise.