Pastor Tricia's Ramblings

The vibrancy of shopping, particularly for fresh produce, evokes memories for many of us. Have you ever excitedly wandered through the aisles of a store, searching for the perfect watermelon? I remember accompanying my mother on these adventurous trips as a child. One of her methods for gauging the ripeness of a watermelon was to give it a firm slap or thump. “If it sounds hollow,” she’d say, “then it’s ripe and ready to take home.” However, despite my best efforts using this technique, I sometimes found myself with either an under-ripe watermelon or, worse yet, an overly ripe one when I got home. This simple experience taught me a profound truth: what we observe—from the outside—does not always accurately reveal what lies within.
This lesson extends beyond watermelons and into the deeper realms of our lives and our interactions with others. When we look at other people or even at ourselves, our perceptions can lead to misleading conclusions. It’s deceptively easy to make judgments, often relying solely on appearances or the superficial aspects of a person’s life. The truth is, what we see and what we hear often unveils very little about true character.

A Biblical Perspective on the Heart

The Bible provides rich insights into this reality. In 1 Samuel 16, we see God’s interaction with Samuel when he is tasked with anointing a new king for Israel. Samuel encounters Jesse’s sons—strong, tall, and handsome—but God intervenes with a powerful reminder: “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7, NIV). This verse encapsulates the divine perspective on choosing individuals for His purposes—not based on stature or worldly standards, but through the lens of one’s heart.
Eventually, David, the youngest son—small in stature and seemingly overlooked—was chosen because God recognized his heart. David, described as “a man after God’s own heart” (Acts 13:22, NIV), serves as an archetype for us all, encouraging us to cultivate a character that reflects God’s attributes.

Understanding True Value

In our contemporary society, we frequently grapple with superficial judgments. In a world that constantly bombards us with images of success—through social media, advertising, and societal norms—it’s easy to place our values and self-worth in the hands of how we are perceived externally. We might even feel the pressure to conform to the ideals of beauty, success, and material wealth that flood our environments.
James 2:3–7 warns against such hypocrisy: “If you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers…” (James 2:9, NIV). The Apostle James chastises the believers for looking at the outward appearance instead of understanding the hearts of individuals. He continues, reminding us that God has chosen the poor who are rich in faith. The message is clear: true worth is measured in our hearts, not our external assets.
This resonates profoundly with Jesus’ teachings as well. In Matthew 7:1–2, He instructs us not to judge others, declaring, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged” (NIV). This admonition challenges us to remove the log from our own eyes before attempting to remove the speck from our brother’s eye. The heart of Jesus’ teaching centers around the necessity of humility and openness to self-reflection. Our judgments often stem from ignorance and a lack of understanding of others’ circumstances and hearts.

The Forgiveness of the Redeemed

The story of the forgiven woman in Luke 7:39–50 beautifully illustrates the heart of God towards those deemed unworthy. In this narrative, Simon the Pharisee judges a woman based solely on her outward actions. Jesus addresses Simon’s heart by contrasting the actions of the woman, whose profound love and repentance illustrate a heart longing for redemption.
Jesus asks Simon, “Tell me, which of them will love him more?” (Luke 7:42, NIV). The answer, obvious to anyone who understands grace, is that those who are forgiven much will love much. It’s a stark reminder that, in the realm of spirituality, the quantities of our sins do not determine our worth but rather the depth of our response to the love of Christ.
As we delve deeper into the importance of a heart seeking God, we must also explore the significance of love as an expression of our relationship with Him. In 1 John 4:19, we read, “We love because he first loved us” (NIV). This profound truth is foundational: our direction of love must always be rooted in the experience of God’s love for us, which should undoubtedly shape our love for others.

The Choice We Face

The paradox of modern living forces us to confront the question: how can we authentically pursue God’s heart while navigating a culture that emphasizes external validation? We often reflect societal norms and expectations rather than seeking a deeper, more authentic relationship with God. Are we living lives that genuinely express our love for God, or are we surrendering to the pressure of conforming to worldly standards?
Psalm 139:23–24 provides a pathway for self-reflection: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (NIV). This prayerful plea is an invitation to self-examination, asking the Lord to reveal our true inner selves. It is a courageous step toward vulnerability and alignment with God’s heart.
Additionally, Proverbs 4:23 cautions us to “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (NIV). Our hearts are the wellspring of our actions; therefore, taking care to nourish our hearts with God’s Word, influence, and guidance is of utmost importance.
The Apostle Paul addresses this matter in Philippians 4:8, where he encourages believers to focus their thoughts on things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable—anything that is excellent or praiseworthy. By directing our hearts and minds toward these virtues, we cultivate a character reflective of God’s nature rather than the external pressures of the world.

Living as Men and Women After God’s Heart

Ultimately, the choice is ours: will we aspire to be men and women after God’s own heart or remain ensnared in a quest for worldly validation? As we go about our lives, let us remember the importance of looking beyond the surface—both in ourselves and in others.
God desires a relationship with us that transcends our external appearances and performances. He longs for authenticity, humility, and a heart willing to seek Him. In Jeremiah 29:13, God promises, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (NIV).
When we make a conscious choice to pursue the heart of God, we can begin to foster authentic connections with those around us. Our relationships will flourish when rooted in understanding, compassion, and love, rather than judgment and superficiality. We can become mirrors reflecting God’s love and grace, offering the same forgiveness that was bestowed upon us.

Conclusion

In this journey of exploring true character, we should continually ask ourselves: are our choices and actions a true reflection of God’s heart within us? Are we sincerely cultivating relationships depicted in love, understanding, and grace rather than adhering to the judgmental standards of the world?
Let us strive to live lives that model a pursuit of God’s heart, consistently recognizing that what is truly valuable in ourselves and others transcends the superficial aspects that society often emphasizes. In this way, we will embody what it means to be vessels of His grace and truth.
As we embrace this challenge, we can find peace in knowing that God’s love gives us salvation through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. It is a gift that cannot be earned but can only be received with gratitude and humility. Pursuing the heart of God will always lead us to the realization that, beyond appearances, it’s His love that defines us.