ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE DAY

Seek to Find the Good

But the Lord said to Samuel: "Do not consider his appearance or 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. I Samuel 16:7 - (NIV)

A retired pastor of one of the larger churches in my community was recently asked, "What are some things you learned in your long and fruitful ministry?"

I will always cherish his words. They expressed my feelings completely. He said, "I have discovered that the vast majority of people are basically good. I have encountered very few evil individuals."

He went on to say, "The Bible tells us 'there is none righteous' and 'all have sinned. The Bible also tells us we do not get into heaven on our goodness. It is only through repentance and claiming the righteousness of Christ."

He went on to tell us that there is an inherent quality found in most people that leans toward sympathy and compassion for their fellowman. Some people say that society condemns those who have within them the urge to show goodness and mercy toward their fellowman. Arrogant, wealthy, and self-sufficient folk may see showing mercy as a weakness. Anyone who has rung the Salvation Army bells at Christmas time knows the people who have the least are usually among the most generous with their loose change.

Maybe our prayers should ask God to help us see others as He sees them and to look upon a person's heart rather than one's outward appearance.

If one aims to see the good in others rather than the evil or seeks to believe in others rather than judge them, we would have a better world. After all, while we are judging, criticizing or tearing others down, they are doing the same to us. Are we being judged fairly on the scales of others?

Think about it, and then try to find the good in a person. There is some good in every one. One has to contain a loving heart and open mind to find it.
…..Ivie Bozeman by way of Eternal Ink (eternal_ink@associate.com) and Christian Voices (www.ChristianVoicesWorldwide.net