Between the magazines and advertisements showing products and distorted images, between books and movies painting perfect imaginary lives, the world around us seems to make life look like some kind of game of external appearances. One where we have to look the part, or buy the right things, or have the perfect relationships or family or house. 

But.. what about the inside? What about your heart and the hearts of others? We can dress any way we want, but what shows who we are the most to others is our heart. It doesn’t matter how much we try to cover it up, we can’t hide from ourselves. And more importantly, our hearts are the only thing God looks at. 

Maybe you’re covered in scars, or you don’t look like a model. Maybe you’re struggling in a relationship, or you can’t seem to make ends meet. Or maybe there’s something else where you feel like you can’t quite meet the mark you want. 

I want to encourage you today, God sees you as you are. He sees your brokenness and makes you whole. He sees your pain and gives you comfort. He sees your heart. 

“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” -1 Samuel 16:7

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” -Proverbs 31:30

“And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.” -1 Chronicles 28:9