But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7, ESV)
It’s the day after Easter, and for many of us Easter was just a little different this year.
When I was a young boy, about 100 years ago, my parents dressed me to the nines for Easter. I have pictures, and (you’ll have to take my word for it) I was cute as a button in that little jacket, wearing a bow tie and shorts and every bit of three feet tall.
For decades after that I dressed up every Easter. Most Sundays, actually, but definitely every Easter. You’ve probably dressed up for Easter too. But what about yesterday?
Attire in general has become more casual, though there are bastions of formality, including most golf clubs. Personally I lean to the “traditional” side of golf attire. Our club allows denim (apparently several of the founders back in 1948 were farmers and that was an accommodation to them), but otherwise we are in the “collared shirts, tucked in” camp.
I confess that a worship leader with strategically placed holes in her jeans does make me a tiny bit crazy. But when I see her heart for God, I get over it.When I play golf I dress for the occasion and the place, and I do the same thing for church. And if I’m critical of someone else’s choice of attire, that is more likely to be at my golf club than at my church.
That’s just me, of course, being human and looking on the outward appearance while God looks on the heart. I’m more aware of that at church and am fine with you wearing anything you like, although I confess that a worship leader with strategically placed holes in her jeans does make me a tiny bit crazy.
But when I see her heart for God, I get over it.
Which brings us all the way back to Easter, 2020. Like millions of other Christians around the world, my wife and I attended our Easter service in our very own family room. There are no pictures of that, and if there were they would not show me wearing a jacket or a bow tie.
Both of us had good hearts, though, and even without pictures God could see that. I hope he saw the same in you this Easter, and that every time he looks on your heart—whether you are on the golf course, in church, or in your family room—he says, “You look nice.”
—
Lewis Greer
April 13, 2020
Copyright 2020 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.
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