Would You Just Look At Her!

Why Doesn't She Do Something About Her Appearance? (Gym Talk)

One of the ladies in spin class shared a recent event that upset her. She overheard some “young thin things” in the locker room laughing and making fun of some of the other women there who were neither young nor thin. She said they were judging these women and didn't even know the particulars of the lives of the women.  She took it personal because she doesn't consider herself young or thin. She went home and shed a few tears because of the insensitivity of these young ladies. She felt she didn't measure up and couldn't measure up no matter how hard she was trying at the gym. She felt tried by their court and found guilty of not being what they thought she should be.  She was still feeling hurt about that incident. Because, like it or not, the only ones who can have 20 year old looks and bodies are 20 year olds.

This made me realize that we tend to criticize those who do not meet our standards. We have standards for weight, height, age, appearance, fashion, and, well, you get the picture. If someone doesn't live up to our self-made or group-made standards we feel free to fault find and disapprove. It’s all about how they appear and not who they are.

But what does God think as He looks at a person? If we are held up to His standards we all fall very, very short. We would definitely be in line for His disapproval and criticism. Even though we deserve condemnation, we don’t receive it from God. We receive love. We receive forgiveness. We receive the acceptance we don’t even merit.  And we take God’s love for granted when we put down others who don’t measure up to what we think are the expected norms.

Culture’s expected norms:

1.       Fit, thin, and healthy looking

2.       Good taste in clothing

3.       Efficient money management

4.       Correct comportment  in all society situations

5.       Proper manners, grammar,  and behavior

Now I’m not saying that this kind of conduct isn't impressive to me.  It is. But it’s not what impresses God. Let’s compare the above expectations with God’s acceptance.

God’s accepted norms:

1.       “Bodily exercise has a little profit, but Godliness has value over everything, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.  1 Timothy 4:8” – God cares more about your eternal soul’s health.

2.       “The Lord does not look at things man looks at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 6:17” – God wants you to be in a right relationship with Him. It’s more important to him than what you look like on the outside.

3.       “And what will it benefit a man if he gains the whole world and he loses his soul?  Is anything worth more than his soul? Matthew 16:26” – Your salvation through Jesus Christ is worth more than anything money can buy.

4.       “Now when they saw the boldness and confidence of Peter and John they perceived that they were uneducated and common men, and were amazed and realized that Peter and John had been with Jesus.  Acts 4:13” – Time spent with Jesus supersedes appropriate public decorum.

5.       “But since the Holy one has called you, be holy yourselves in all your conduct, conversations, and behavior. 1 Peter 1:15” Being holy before God is more important than being a proper lady.

I shouldn't even comment on someone else’s looks, clothes, wealth, social status, or tactlessness.   I should be getting past appearance and getting to know the real person. That takes time and effort on my part. Besides, God is making His plans for spiritual improvement not outward signatures in social surroundings. He sees to the very soul of each person and wants more than anything to love her as His child.

I think God wants to say of others…

Would you just look at her! 

Really look at her.

Do I see her the way God does?