Aligning your heart with God's

Do you value and appreciate a person from the qualities of heart or from outward stature or appearance? 

A pastor of a large Church wanted a new worship leader. Polished musicians with impressive voices, attractive appearances and vast experience were interviewed. One candidate, tall, charismatic and well-dressed, seemed worthy. But the pastor, prompted in prayer, delayed the selection.

One evening, Joseph, an elderly Church gardener, after hours of de-weeding and watering the Church garden, led a small prayer group in worship. Joseph’s voice was rough and unpolished, his hands and face worn from years of work, but his heartfelt worship brought hope and tears of joy to the group. God showed the Pastor a true worship leader. Joseph drew many more people closer to God with his simple, authentic leading.

In a world that worships the mirror and the measuring tape, do we pause at the polished surface—captivated by flawless features and commanding stature—or do we lean closer, drawn by the quiet fire of a generous heart, the invisible strength of kindness and the rare faith and courage that refuses to dim? In The Bible, David, the shepherd-boy was chosen to be king over Israel. His father, Jesse, lines-up seven of his sons before Prophet Samuel, but God rejects them all. David, the youngest, was tending the flock, not initially considered worthy by his own father.

Samuel was impressed with the stature of the eldest brother Eliab, but God declares “Do not look upon his appearance or on the height of his stature... For The Lord sees not as man sees: Man looks on the outward appearance, but The Lord looks on the heart”(I Samuel 16:7).

When David arrives, God tells Samuel, “Arise, anoint him, for this is he” (I Samuel 16:12).  After the anointing,The Spirit of The Lord comes upon David powerfully from that day forward. 

David was chosen not for his strength or status, but because his heart was aligned with God’s, a “man after God’s own heart” (I Samuel 13:14)  

We may be either constantly
trying to impress people and win their praise and appreciation or are being impressed by others. We may sometimes find ourselves so swayed by social media ‘likes’, ‘star ratings’, ‘shares’, ‘forwards’ and ‘comments’ that we become addictively busy looking ‘around’ for ‘people’s praises’ instead of looking ‘above’ for ‘God’s endorsement’. 

With whom or what are you aligned?