Appearances
“Therefore, let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” 1 Corinthians 10:12
My husband and I took a vacation along the Oregon coast one year. While in Astoria, one evening we took a walk along a portion of the Columbia River. We came across an inlet with shallow water dotted with decrepit pilings from long-eroded docks.
Suddenly, I grabbed my camera. “Look!” I whispered to my husband. Not 30 feet away from us stood dark, long-legged herons in the shallows, some with beaks in the water, some standing tall and straight. A couple of brown pelicans graced the tops of some stumps sticking up out of the water.
I snapped a series of photos, knowing I would never see the sight again, fearful of making too much noise or moving too quickly, scaring them off. We crept closer, step by step.
They seemed not to be aware of us. We were surprised at how close we could get to them. “They must be tame,” I whispered, knowing this spot was probably visited often by tourists.
They were so still, so beautiful, so unaware.
Even at a distance of 10 feet, they were unafraid. Just then I realized they weren’t real. They were made of metal that had rusted, giving them their brown and copper coloring. I felt so foolish for having marveled at rusted, forgotten sculptures.
My perception of reality was all wrong.
I have kept those photos to remind me that a far-off view is decidedly different than a close-up view. Every time I look at those vacation photos, I remember that appearances can be deceiving. Closer investigation reveals truth. Decisions based on mere initial glances are inadequate for real understanding.
“Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment” (John 7:24). This holds far more importance when we are talking about people rather than metal sculptures. The only way I can judge a person with righteous judgment is to have God’s eyes, heart, understanding, truth, and wisdom. I need His knowledge of backstory and future story (omniscience.) Thus, I cannot judge—only God can.
But I can take a closer look at people. Get to know them personally. Give them a chance. I can withhold judgment based on appearances, and give time for the fruit of a life to show itself. My snap judgment may shame me in the end, as the photos prove. In Luke 13:6-9, the parable is told of a vineyard owner who wanted to cut down a certain tree that had borne no fruit for three years, but he was convinced by the keeper of the vineyard to wait one more year while he gave the tree special care and attention. This is the patience God has for us.
Give change and growth a chance. Who in your life needs more time, or another chance? Where do you need to look beyond appearances, and let God deal with situations?
Father, forgive us for making assumptions based on appearances. May we live according to truth. Amen.