Faith Forum by Gloria Wessner - It's The Inside That Counts

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 “Inner beauty is important…but not nearly as important as outer beauty,” states Ellen DeGeneres in her Cover Girl 'Simply Ageless' TV commercial. Ellen would certainly seem to be correct, as the multibillion dollar industry of fashion and makeup suggests that this is true. This seems especially accurate in the western world, where multi billions of dollars are spent annually. Fashion magazines, TV shows on fashion and shows all about celebrities where all the emphasis is on what is worn and how they look, most TV shows and sitcoms where stars are dressed up – this is what meets the eye wherever we turn.

God says the opposite. He emphasizes that it's what's on the inside of a person that really counts. A good example of this is from God's writings when the prophet Samuel was told to go and anoint one of Jesse's sons as the new king of Israel. At first God didn't reveal to Samuel which of Jesse's many sons he was to anoint to be the new king. He said he'd show him at the time. The first son to pass before Samuel was Eliab. Samuel thought for sure he was the one God had chosen, but God had other ideas.

“When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD's anointed stands here before the LORD.”
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:6, 7 NIV, 2010)

Then there was the youngest that was out caring for the sheep in the fields. His father Jesse hadn't even called him in to pass before Samuel, but this is what happened when he came in from tending the sheep:

“In the same way all seven of Jesse's sons were presented to Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen any of these.” Then Samuel asked, “Are these all the sons you have?”
“There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied. “But he's out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.”
“Send for him at once,” Samuel said. “We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.”
So Jesse sent for him. He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes.
And the LORD said, “This is the one; anoint him.”
So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah.” (1 Samuel 16:10-13 NLT)

Contrary to what most of the world thinks about outward beauty and how important it is, God wants us to realize just how significant and vital the inside of us is – that is, what is in our hearts. He is the only one, who has the only way, of reaching down inside our hearts and changing it and shaping it to what it should be.
“The Lord your God will change your heart and the hearts of all your descendants, so that you will love him with all your heart and soul and so you may live!” (Deuteronomy 30:6 NLT)

“This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives (hearts), just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God's wonderful grace.” (Colossians 1:6 NLT; (parenthesis mine)

How about you? Are you ready to let God change what's really important in your life, the inside of you, in your heart? He loves you and yearns to share His life with you everyday. Readers are invited to write Gloria at: gloriawes@hotmail.com.