Man Looks on the Outside

It's amazing what you learn watching Britain's Got Talent! I was watching the show at the weekend when I thought of David and Saul. Perhaps you remember the story from 1 Samuel 16. God had sent Samuel to anoint one of the sons of Jesse as the next King of Israel. He arrived at Jesse's home took one look at Eliab and thought he must be the one, tall and handsome just as a king should be. Then God said, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things a man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

All of Jesses' sons were brought before Samuel before he got to David, the youngest, the one who looked least like a King in the making and God said, "He is the one."

On Saturday night Susan Boyle from Blackburn in West Lothian walked onto the Britains Got Talent stage. She looks somewhat older than her 47 years, she does not look like a star in anyway. The judges, the audience and me sitting at home were waiting on a awful (but perhaps humorous) performance. She opened her mouth and out came an utterly stunning and beautiful voice. Truely 'man looks on the outside' and what a mistake that is! The wee wumin from Blackburn is headed for stardom and isn't that great.

We all need a reminder that the plastic world of perfect celebrity is just an illusion and we all need a reminder that too often we make judgements based on the outward appearance, man looks at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart. You can view Susan's wonderful performance below. Get your hanky ready!