#68 What is in the heart? Thoughts from the Back Deck...


1 Samuel 16:7
“But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.'”

I remember going and seeing Star Wars back in 1977-78 multiple times in the theater. Before the retouching and additional CGI additions. Before the controversy over whether or not Han shot first. Before the prequel or the three final wrap-up movies, or the Han Solo movie, Chewbacca was a standout character.

By far, my favorite Star Wars character has always been Chewbacca. He was really tall. He was really strong. He had the most excellent gun. He did not have "L'Oreal" hair as in the picture above but he was neatly groomed and did not look like "Cousin It" from the Addams family. What I liked best about the Chewbacca character were not these things, but it helped make him an interesting character throughout the Star Wars movies. What I liked best about Chewbacca was his character traits. How the writers portrayed his humor, loyalty, courage at times, being a stalwart friend, even when he was fearful. 

The writers were able to capture and develop a character that was "real" and not a punchline or a joke, even though only a few could understand the "Wookiee" language. Without the writers and good performances of the actors, Chewbacca would have just been one of many lost, underdeveloped characters that go unnoticed as in so many movies. 

In today's world of selfies, selfie filters, plastic surgery, Botox, and "enhancements" of all kinds, show we are more concerned now than ever about the outward appearance. 

It is all the more important to remember that God does not look at the things man looks at but looks at the heart. Physical traits may make a person or a movie character initially intriguing, but the depth of relationships and genuine friendships are not based on outward appearances. 

Holy Spirit, guard our hearts and eyes so that we do not judge others the way we would want to be judged but instead look to a person's heart like our Father in Heaven does. 

Peace out,
Andy

stpaullakeland.org

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