Geodes
People judge by outward appearance,
but the LORD looks at the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7 (NLT)
One of my favorite pastimes is walking our dogs through the woods on our property, here in Southwest Missouri. There is a section along our walk where small caves have formed. After a heavy rain, it's not unusual to spot geodes popping through the soil.
Geodes begin as plain rocks with hollow cavities that, over time, form crystals such as opal, quartz, or agate. The geodes I've found are quite unattractive on the outside, with a dull, lumpy surface that resembles a floret of cauliflower. Yet when they are cut hopen, these geodes reveal beautiful crystals that sparkle like moonlight on a quiet lake. Such extraordinary beauty hidden within a simple rock!
Thankfully, God doesn't judge us by our outward appearance. Instead, He looks at our hearts. God isn't looking for degrees, wealth, status, or power. He wants us just as we are, plain and simple. If He'd loved only those who are physically appealing, He wouldn't have reached out to the lepers. If He'd wanted wealth, He wouldn't have told the rich, young ruler to give his money to the poor. If He'd desired status, He wouldn't have walked among the outcast. If He'd sought power, He would have chosen political supporters, not fishermen.
God does not qualify or quantify His love but loves each one of us fully and unconditionally. Even those of us with warts, tics, stims, handicaps, and birth defects. Instead of the body, God looks at the soul of every man and treasures those whose hearts and minds are devoted to Him.
If God were to crack us open for all the world to see, I wonder what our hearts would reveal. As for me, I hope my heart would shine with God's love.
Geodes begin as plain rocks with hollow cavities that, over time, form crystals such as opal, quartz, or agate. The geodes I've found are quite unattractive on the outside, with a dull, lumpy surface that resembles a floret of cauliflower. Yet when they are cut hopen, these geodes reveal beautiful crystals that sparkle like moonlight on a quiet lake. Such extraordinary beauty hidden within a simple rock!
Thankfully, God doesn't judge us by our outward appearance. Instead, He looks at our hearts. God isn't looking for degrees, wealth, status, or power. He wants us just as we are, plain and simple. If He'd loved only those who are physically appealing, He wouldn't have reached out to the lepers. If He'd wanted wealth, He wouldn't have told the rich, young ruler to give his money to the poor. If He'd desired status, He wouldn't have walked among the outcast. If He'd sought power, He would have chosen political supporters, not fishermen.
God does not qualify or quantify His love but loves each one of us fully and unconditionally. Even those of us with warts, tics, stims, handicaps, and birth defects. Instead of the body, God looks at the soul of every man and treasures those whose hearts and minds are devoted to Him.
If God were to crack us open for all the world to see, I wonder what our hearts would reveal. As for me, I hope my heart would shine with God's love.
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