Bless ’em all, Bless ’em all!’

“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.’”
1 Samuel 16:7 (NASB)

Most of us like to people watch and there are times when we find ourselves waiting, waiting on someone, for a lift, a bus, a train etc.  That is when we are bored, so we people watch – all of us do, and some of us enjoy seeing people in all shapes and sizes, all ages and ethnicity.  It is an amazing fact about our God that no two people in this entire world are the same.  We can have strong similar characteristics, especially in families, but never an exact replica even when twins are identical.  This is why we are intrigued by studying others.

However there is a pitfall, one which I am ashamed to say I fall into too frequently.  Judging.  Before I know where I am the voice in my head is saying ‘oh no, that colour is very wrong!’ ‘No way do those shoes go with that hat!’  ‘He needs a belt with those trousers!’ etc.  My human nature has a field day.  The shame is on me – God delights in our differences.  Psalm 149:4 reads, “For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation.”  We are the afflicted ones – afflicted by our sins.

It is impossible not to people watch – as a race we all see each other, but I have resolved to try to bless rather than judge.  I am reminded of the old war song ‘Bless ’em all, Bless ’em all. The long and the short and the tall,!’  The Holy Spirit will help me if I ask to see the positive.  We are, after all, every last one of us children of God.

I will rejoice in God’s creation of humanity and try to avoid the pitfall of judging the long and the short and the tall.

Prayer
Loving Father, thank you that you made us individuals and that you delight in our particular ways.  Help us to love and to bless, rather than judge; to have compassion, rather than prejudice.
Amen

Study by Irene Wilson

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About the Author:
Irene Wilson is a Deaconess in the Watford Congregation of the Worldwide Church of God UK, where she also serves on the Pastoral Council.

Local Congregation:
Worldwide Church of God Watford
St. Peter’s Church
61 Westfield Avenue
Watford,
Herts. WD24 7HF

Meeting Time:
Saturday 11AM

Local Congregational Contact:
George Henderson
Phone:  01923-855570
Email: george-sue.henderson@tesco.net