A Good Practice
December 26, 2024
Rocky and the Cripple
May 04, 2018
Your adornment must not be merely external — braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. -1 Peter 3:3-4
Once while on a family vacation, our sons scooted to our room shouting, “Rocky’s down at the beach!” I walked to the water’s edge, and there was Sylvester Stallone, “Rocky.”
He was the focus of everyone. The superstar was gracious as autograph hounds kept him from enjoying the surf. Girls were aflutter as they surveyed his muscular torso, and males were jealous.
After awhile my eye caught sight of a man about Stallone’s age, but a victim of stroke or some other debilitating ailment. He labored to make his way into the water. I watched as he thrashed his twisted limbs in an attempt to enjoy swimming.
Suddenly I heard a female, whose eyes were welded to “Rocky,” shout, “He’s my hero!” But the hero was the man no one saw, the guy determined to swim in the ocean despite a bent body.
God’s eyes are always on “the hidden person of the heart.” We can preen spiritually by trying to be hyper-religious, but that doesn’t impress God. Precious in His sight is the inner character, even if it’s housed in an unattractive body!
TODAY’S HEART FOCUS
Pray for the ability to see the beauty in the “hidden person” of others, especially those otherwise unattractive. Ask the Lord to continue to transform your character into beauty in which He delights.
He was the focus of everyone. The superstar was gracious as autograph hounds kept him from enjoying the surf. Girls were aflutter as they surveyed his muscular torso, and males were jealous.
After awhile my eye caught sight of a man about Stallone’s age, but a victim of stroke or some other debilitating ailment. He labored to make his way into the water. I watched as he thrashed his twisted limbs in an attempt to enjoy swimming.
Suddenly I heard a female, whose eyes were welded to “Rocky,” shout, “He’s my hero!” But the hero was the man no one saw, the guy determined to swim in the ocean despite a bent body.
God’s eyes are always on “the hidden person of the heart.” We can preen spiritually by trying to be hyper-religious, but that doesn’t impress God. Precious in His sight is the inner character, even if it’s housed in an unattractive body!
TODAY’S HEART FOCUS
Pray for the ability to see the beauty in the “hidden person” of others, especially those otherwise unattractive. Ask the Lord to continue to transform your character into beauty in which He delights.
