Presence

I take refuge under the shadow of Your wings, at the foot of Your cross. You meet me with open arms, just as I am, today and always.

Scripture Reading

1 Samuel 16:7 NRSVue

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 does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

Reflection

Do I judge people by how they look and what they wear, equating designer labels and the latest gadgets with goodness and success? Do I misjudge someone because of their tattoos or the colour of their hair or their piercings? Can I see beyond the physical appearance into the heart of a person? Or am I too caught up in what I see as the ‘right look’? If people don’t conform to my way of being, do I write them off? Today, grateful yet again for the diversity of our world, I will be especially diligent when it comes to instant judgments. When I see someone who doesn’t fit my idea of acceptable, I will examine my reaction and ask myself where it is coming from.

Closing Prayer

Lord, there is a lot of importance given to ‘first impressions’ in our world. But it can take time to shed our prejudices and pre-conceptions and really see into someone’s heart. Make me more patient and perceptive, and help me to see the good in each person, no matter my ‘first impression’ of them. Help me to treat each person as I would like to be treated. Thank you, Jesus, for your wonderful example. Amen.