{"id":29650,"date":"2021-02-08T03:30:27","date_gmt":"2021-02-08T11:30:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lccredding.org\/church\/?p=29650"},"modified":"2021-02-05T17:38:52","modified_gmt":"2021-02-06T01:38:52","slug":"february-8-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lccredding.org\/church\/2021\/02\/08\/february-8-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"February 8, 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u201cBut the LORD said to Samuel, \u2018Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.\u2019\u201d <\/em>1 Samuel 16:7<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>\u201cFor you formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother\u2019s womb. I will praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.\u201d <\/em>Psalm139:13, 14<\/p>\n

Dresser Deal, Drawer Disappointment<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u00a0<\/em>Why do I think I can get a quality item such as a piece of furniture for a not-break-the-bank price? This year for Christmas I gave my husband a new dresser. I searched and found the picture-perfect chest of drawers. Dark wood, shiny silver handles, five drawers that (from the outside) looked to be deep enough, for less than $300, including delivery! I agreed to next-week delivery, basing my decision solely on a texted picture of the \u201coutwardly lovely\u201d dresser. Much to my dismay, when the dresser was delivered and I was able to physically inspect it, much about the interior of the dresser did not meet my expectations. The outside looked just as it did in the picture, but once I opened one of the drawers, I was gravely disappointed. The drawer didn\u2019t open smoothly; it was about half the depth I anticipated; and overall it seemed cheaply made. In the end, I decided to keep it for my gift to him, especially after looking over what clothes needed to fit, because it seemed like it would do the job.<\/p>\n

Maybe you can see where this can apply spiritually. I thought of this life experience in two different ways.<\/p>\n

Perspective #1<\/p>\n

His Word tells us that God looks not on the outward appearance of man, but at our hearts. That is what is important. I should have been wiser and made the trip to actually look at the dresser inside and out before making my decision based only on a picture. It is nice to have an attractive-looking chest of drawers, but the purpose of the item and its internal function are more important. It is nice for me to present myself in an attractive way for my husband and family and for leaving the house, but if I haven\u2019t spent time with Him and if I have a rotten attitude in my heart, that takes away from the attractive outward efforts.<\/p>\n

Perspective #2<\/p>\n

The dresser drawers were less than I had hoped or expected, but since it would hold the clothes necessary to his needs, it still had function and would be appropriate. This makes me think about how sometimes I don\u2019t like my personality traits or how I am as a person. I wish I were more this or that, when actually that is an insult to God who fashioned and created me! Psalm 139 says that He formed me and that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I need not compare myself with others and remember that Jesus loves me for who I am.<\/p>\n

Dear loving Father, thank You for loving and accepting each one of your children for the work in progress we are. Thank You that you do not look at the outside appearance, but at the heart. So much about us may not be what we wish we were like, yet You have formed us each so uniquely to fulfill the purpose You have for us.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

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