Take a Selfie of Your Heart

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

One current trend that I love is the photography of individuals, friends, family, engagements, weddings, etc. in a setting other than a photography studio.  Don’t get me wrong, yearbook and church directory photos serve their purpose, but there’s just something about spontaneous photography that can reach your heartstrings.  Whether it’s outside in a field, in a historic building, or in some other out-of-the-ordinary setting, I absolutely love how photographers can capture people “in the moment” and evoke emotion and personality out of the photos they take.  These kinds of photos tell a story about a person…who they are, what they enjoy doing, and what their everyday life is like.  My sisters and I have had photos taken like the ones I am describing and below is one of my favorites.  This photo definitely speaks “The Young Sisters!” :)

In this world of “selfies” and having “the perfect picture,” it is very easy to become self-conscious about how you look and whether or not the picture turned out good.  This isn’t just a 2014 issue, it’s been an ongoing problem – people want to look a certain way in order to be who they think they have to be.  From elementary school to adulthood…everyone, to some extent, feels they have to be something they aren’t in order to fit in.

Thank goodness God isn’t worried about any of that nonsense.  God tells the prophet Samuel in 1 Samuel 16:7 that, “The LORD does not look at the things people look at.  People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”  He said this in relation to David being anointed King.  Samuel kept thinking that God wanted him to anoint David’s older and more muscular-looking brothers.  David was the youngest and I have a feeling a little scrawny compared to the rest of his siblings (we know this from how he was described when meeting Goliath for the first time).  Surely God didn’t want the scrawny brother to be King of Israel?  How could he fight in a war or represent the nation?  BUT…God told Samuel that physical appearance doesn’t matter to Him.  What matters is the heart of the person. 

1 Peter 3:4 is a great encouragement to this thought as well, “let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.”  God doesn’t care about the current fashion, pearly whites, or ear/nose/bellybutton bling.  He cares what you adorn yourself with on the inside…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control (Galatians 5:22-23).  Don’t worry about what you look like –  worry about your heart.  Do you follow Christ?  Are you kind?  Do you show compassion?  Do you seek to serve God?  Are you encouraging?  And the list of positive attributes you relate to yourself could go on and on and on.  The phrase “be yourself” seems so cliché, but it is so true.  There’s no one quite like you.  You are unique.  You were fearfully and wonderfully made by a Creator who always does something for a purpose (Psalm 139:14, Romans 8:28).  That in itself, quite frankly, is beautiful.

I’m in no way harping on selfies or picture taking…keep taking those pictures!  But next time you do take a selfie of your heart and think “Does this picture reflect me on the inside?”  Again, that’s why I love “in the moment” photography so much because I can truly see the heart of the person/people in them.  Props to all those photographers out there who are able to reflect our hearts through their craft.  Just remember, dear friend that as God’s child you live for Christ, not for others, and no matter what you think about how you look, Jesus thinks that heart of yours is the most beautiful thing in the world.  And THAT is all that matters in this life.