NOT WHAT BUT WHO

NOT WHAT BUT WHO!

Most men, when they first meet each other, will quickly ask the occupation of the other. Our method of determining self worth and the status of the other are to evaluate the importance of our work. The college professor and the janitor soon align themselves accordingly. God looks on the heart and when we enter heaven it will be like starting life anew.

1 Sam 16:7-12

7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

8 Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.

9 Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.

10 Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these.

11 And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.

12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.

Jesse rejected his own young son because he was small, his tasks and accomplishments as a herder of sheep were insignificant he was young and rosy cheeked. Jesse had not taken the time to become acquainted with his own son’s heart.

The late Henri Nouwen, a best-selling author and professor, recalls his first days at L'Arche, a community for the mentally and physically disabled, in Toronto:

The first thing that struck me when I came to live in a house with mentally handicapped people was that their liking or disliking me had absolutely nothing to do with any of the many useful things I had done until then. Since nobody could read my books, they could not impress anyone, and since most of them never went to school, my 20 years at Notre Dame, Yale, and Harvard did not provide a significant introduction. My considerable ecumenical experience proved even less valuable. Not being able to use any of the skills that had proved so practical in the past was a real source of anxiety. In a way it seemed as though I was starting my life all over again.

In the same way, when we enter the kingdom of God, all our achievements won't matter. What God cares about is who we are!

Citation: Kevin A. Miller, editor and author, Wheaton, Illinois; source: Gordon MacDonald, "Atmospheric Influences," Leadership (Winter 1999), p. 32

God selected a king not from among the recognized leaders in Jesse’s family but from among His own friends. He chose one with whom He had spoken many times through prayer and song. God was well acquainted with his heart. 

Dear Lord, the world might reject me on the merits of my accomplishments but it is enough that you know my name, that we speak often and that we love each other. Thank you for loving me. AMEN