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Bible Text: 1 Samuel 16:1-13
A lot of us feel like we don’t measure up. We aren’t good looking enough, we don’t have any discernable or admirable talents and we just get passed over for the things that our hearts seem to desire. It’s discouraging. It’s especially discouraging when scientific studies prove that good looking people get more opportunities, better jobs and even better restaurant service then all of us regular looking folk do. The whole world is based on meritocracy and it always has been.
Back in Samuel’s time (he was a prophet of God, pretty interesting guy if you want to look him up), people voted on their leaders based on what they looked like. The bigger and stronger and brawnier you were, the better chances you had of being hailed the leader or King. Sounds familiar right? We still do these things today. But God truly and honestly does not give a whip about what you look like or what the world thinks of the gifts you have been given.
And I know, saying ‘it’s what’s inside that counts’ is pretty cheesy, but over and over again we see God choosing the lesser and the little ones. He chose David, the youngest and smallest of his brothers to be King over Israel. He chose Moses, who wasn’t the greatest public speaker (Exodus 4:10-13) to represent and lead his people. Look at this verse from 1 Corinthians 1:27: But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” The things of this world, looks and talent and all that stuff, mean nothing to God. Heck, even Jesus, the Son of God Himself, was not an especially good looking guy. You’d think God would have made Him at least a bit hunky, but nope, check out Isaiah 53:2.
What does God care about? God cares about character. He cares about what you do and who you are when nobody is looking. Character takes up the raw material of nature and temperament and weaves these into a strong, well knit texture, of a fully moralized person. Character is your core and your moral sense and that’s what God is looking at. It is developed over time through the guidance of God’s word and the proper teaching of those around us. It’s what you should be raising your kids to have and it’s the number one thing that you should look for in a spouse. Moral, Godly character.
So you say, okay, great, I know God cares about character. And I also know and believe He died for me. But I can’t find a husband or wife, I’m only making half of what some of my friends are making and I just kinda suck. Except if you seek after God with all of your whole being, that’s what actually matters in this life. That’s when God blesses you with the things He knows you need. God chose David as he was a man after God’s own heart. Focus on that, pray about that, take your worries and concerns to God. He knows it’s hard to get out of yourself and focus on others, He knows you’re going to probably obsess about trying not to obsess about all the things you’re lacking as a person in this world. Take those concerns to Him and then turn your eyes to the things that build good moral character and your life will absolutely change.
For additional content, check out the latest episode of The Clearer Thinking Podcast.
-Written by Kate Tigchelaar
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