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“The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” I Samuel 16:7b (NIV)

Woman in car merges into my lane and waves – thank you; man squeezes his car into my lane and never looks back. Two totally different responses. Teaching a computer class at work – the younger team members catch on quick; the seasoned workers stumble through in disgust. Two totally different reactions. Gathered around my life group – one lady marked the pages in her studybook with highlighters, underlines and side notes; another didn’t even answer the questions. Two totally different approaches.

Wonder what makes the difference? Regardless of the reason when we expect others to respond, react and approach life the way we do, we are setting ourselves up for disappointment. In fact, when we demand that others respond and react in our mold of thinking, we can actually stifle their God given personalities. God created each of us uniquely – there are no two DNA’s that are the exact same. No two individuals always respond, react and approach situations the exact same. And when we embrace our differences and release our expectations, we find surprising results.

The man who squeezed in my lane of traffic and never looked back – well a deed done in kindness doesn’t need acknowledgement to glorify the Father. The group of co-workers struggling to embrace new technology – well they gained tips from their younger team members and bridged the generation gap. The lifegrouper who seems disenchanted and noncommittal – well she opened up during discussion time and shared incredible insights on a life redeemed.

Things are not always as they seem, maybe that’s why God looks at the heart. Wouldn’t we be wise to do the same?

“Father, help us to remove our critical eye and embrace others even if they are totally different.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life