My friend recently spoke for a group of women at a community center that serves the homeless. The audience was warm and kind to her. They took up a love offering and presented her with a generous sum that included 76 cents. She thought about the women who attended and wondered about the woman who contributed one penny. The generous gift from a person in need touched my friend deeply and possibly more than her message touched the audience that day.

Hearing this story caused me to think about our natural response to a person based upon their outward appearance or station in life. Many times we draw conclusions about others based on what we see. As we form an opinion of a person, we may judge the motives of their heart based on something as temporary as their clothing. Although we look at the ourward appearance, God looks at the heart (I Sam. 16:7).

The term for heart is found over 800 times in the Bible. The heart is more than a physical organ that pumps blood throughout our bodies. Our heart is the sum of our inner person. It is the person within. Out of our hearts come our thoughts, dreams, hopes, desires, and ultimately our actions.

King David prayed, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; Test me and know my anxious thoughts; See if there is any hurtful way in me and lead me in Your way forever" (Ps. 139:23-24). Are you willing for the Lord to search your heart? Have you given yourself, your entire being, your heart to Him? What does God find when He searches your heart?

O Lord, please search our hearts and help us to look past the outward appearances of others we encounter. Lead us in Your everlasting way and keep us from hurtful ways. Remind us that You look at the heart and You desire for our hearts to be devoted to You. May we seek to please You in all our ways. Amen

Copyright (c) 2007 Ruth Beeler Crow

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