Surface Area

"Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's." (2 Corinthians 10:7) Shown

This is one of the big tests of life. To see through a veneer to which your predilections are attuned. I find that many people think I'm a certain way--super serious and intense--and while I can be that, it doesn't mean I'm not just as inversely sensitive (and goofy) as I am hard. The two go hand-in-hand, in my opinion. Sometimes I wonder how many people I've turned off and left wondering when it wasn't my responsibility at all to explain how I was. Assuming I was simply being myself. The great qualifier of which is walking "even as He walked." (1 John 2:6)

"But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because i have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7)

Shone

Interesting how God tells Samuel he had refused "Eliab" (16:6). Evidently, God had already come through and passed judgment (at least in their qualifications for king) on each of Jesse's other sons. Doesn't mean they weren't made or fit for something else. They just didn't have what it took to lead Israel. Now think about those people to whom you are that misunderstood entity. You're following God to the best of your ability and you rub someone the wrong way (!). Oh no. They don't see how you really are! But God... God knows you. He knows your heart and your intentions and motives. Be the way you are (don't change for anyone) as unto Christ. The inverse, in this case, is that you get to be that angel to show them God's light. His love, peace, joy and patience.

"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." (Hebrews 13:2)

It's a fine balance to be sure. Following the logic threaded through these paragraphs, I can't say I've ever dealt with either angels (not for certain) or demons. But I have encountered and entertained both ends of the spectrum, humanly speaking. And those people with whose hearts I resonate are those that don't practice pretense but let their hearts shine through. Honesty is the best policy.

Thanks to my friend Mychal for his heart on these matters.

Irrigation

Low-hanging Fruit