1 Samuel 16:7 “…The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
In the past few months, I have become increasingly frustrated with the fact that pictures do not do justice to God’s magnificent handiwork. I’ve taken photos of gorgeous sunrises and sunsets, breathtaking vistas with mountain upon mountain rolling in the distance, cerulean skies with billowy clouds, only to look at the pictures later and realize that God’s phenomenal creation is not easily reduced to two dimensions. The pictures, while beautiful, just don’t have the same breath-taking, awe-inspiring quality that accompanies the real experience of standing in God’s majesty.
Romans 12:9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them….
I think God experiences the authenticity of our worship, praise, and relationship with Him in a similar way. He can tell in an instant if we are being genuine or if we are just going through the motions. We might be able to convince the world with our show, but God knows our hearts. He doesn’t want a flat, two-dimensional relationship. He wants us to be real, true, genuine, authentic—with Him, with ourselves, with each other.
1 Tim 1:5 The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a genuine faith.
Lord, Thank You for this day and for the reminder to bring our whole hearts to You in worship and praise. You don’t just want our sanitized politeness. You want all of us—real, raw, unfiltered, authentic. Help us to be real with You and with ourselves. Help us to move past the “barrier of show” so we can praise You and love others with our whole hearts. Draw us closer. Amen.
Psalm 19:14 May the words of my mouth and meditation of my heart be pleasing to You, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
Have a blessed day.
Word!