A Mirror

1 Samuel 16:7

"Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who's the fairest of them all?"  It's the question asked by a vain, jealous witch, or maybe a celebrity, or maybe you or I.  It's the same now as it was since the beginning of human existence.  People are obsessed by looks, by the outward appearance.  We see it everyday.  There aren't any magazines at the store checkout line with a gray haired, acne covered, overweight, hermit on the cover - now are there?  While our looks and fancy outfits may fool those around us, our dress up doesn't fool God.  He sees right through the designer business suit to the corrupt, greedy, corporate scam artist underneath or the best dressed, beautiful celebrity model who is nothing but show.  We can't be too hard on ourselves for being misled, after all Samuel, a prophet of God had problems getting past the looks of Jesse's older sons when he went to anoint the new king.  Samuel was impressed with Eliab but God had rejected him.  1 Samuel 16:7 reads, "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.'"  If you're like me, you're pretty relieved by that statement.  Whether people stare google-eyed when you walk by or the saying, "a face only a mother could love" describes you, don't let it get to you.  Instead focus your efforts to the inside and how God sees you.  Seeking to become more like Christ and following the command to "Love the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself" is far more meaningful and way cheaper than plastic surgery, makeovers, and thousands of dollars in outfits to fix your outward appearance.  So when you catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror, even if it causes it to crack, look deeper than the surface to what is underneath.  Then spend the beginning of your day dressing up on the inside, where God sees, and you'll be a whole lot happier and better off.