A shepherd's heart

TODAY'S READING: 1 Samuel 16:1-13
We live in a society that is all about looks. If you doubt this, look around when you are in line at the grocery story. There are magazines all over with attractive people on the covers and 10 ways to look better on the inside. If that doesn't convince you, tune in for the latest show about "Hollywood's 10 Most Beautiful Stars." And on and on it goes.
When God sent Samuel to the house of Jesse to find the next king for Israel he fell into the same trap. It almost sounds like the "Mr. Israel" competition. Each of Jesse's sons is paraded before Samuel. And each time the result is the same. "Next." None of them are the one.
Then in from the fields comes David. Not anyone's vision of what a king should be, God chooses him. Not because of his looks. Not because he is the biggest and baddest. No. God selects David because of who he is on the inside. The "runt" of the family is also the one with the heart of a shepherd.
God will often used the most unlikely people. At least unlikely in the world's eyes. But God has a different - and much healthier perspective. God looks at a person's heart. It is substance, not style, that determines who someone is.
The next time you want to judge someone's worth, consider David. Here is the little brother than ended up leading an entire nation. The next time you think someone couldn't possibly serve God, remember David. The one that everyone in the family probably looked down on was the one an entire people eventually looked up to.
We waste so much time worrying about and trying to improve our looks. But how much time do we invest in shaping our hearts? Are we concerned more with what people think about our appearance or who the real us is on the inside? As you consider these questions, remember that God chose the youngest, weakest-looking boy in the house of Jesse to guide His nation.

shine!
Jason