Spiritual Sundays - Nothing Beautiful





For how long those posters were hanging on one side of the walls in our medical clinic, no one knew not unless they had worked in the jail for a long time.


There were 4 columns of men’s and women’s faces, horizontally and vertically. They were the “before and after drug use” kind of photos. And the pictures told it all, they were not pretty!


Two or three years of drug use made these faces looked so old! They were in their 20’s or 30’s and they looked like twice, even thrice their ages already. Teeth were decayed, some receded to their gum lines. Their hair falling off and brittle, compared to what was once thick and shiny hair with a nice style. Clear facial skin was replaced with overly dry condition, filled with rashes or acne all over. The once over-all well-kept appearance looked shabby and unkempt.


These people were trapped in the web of habitual substances abuse. Others made fun of them. They were ridiculed, outcast, perhaps, rejected. They would find their “quick-fix” by increasing the amount of drugs they used to achieve that “peace and elation” feelings they were hoping for. But unfortunately, their mental condition also began to deteriorate at the passing of times.


People are often quick to judge others just by seeing their faces or over-all appearances. They think that they know that person’s character just by merely looking at them from the outside. If they appear handsome or beautiful, they associate it with them being “good kind of people”. Or vice versa.


Long time ago, though He didn’t use drugs and “sinless”, there was a humble Servant who came here but he was judged, laughed at and ridiculed. He did not appear majestic so why would one believe that He was the “Son of God” even? He was only a carpenter, born in a manger, so how could He be the “King of all Kings?”


The prophet Isaiah described Jesus this way [Isaiah 53:1-6]:


1- “Who has believed our message? To whom will the Lord reveal his saving power?

2- “My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender, green shoot, sprouting from a root in dry and sterile ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him.

3- “He was despised and rejected - a man of sorrows, acquainted with bitterest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way when he went by. He was despised, and we did not care.”

4- “Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God for his own sins!

5- “But he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed!

6- “All of us have strayed away like sheep. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the guilt and sins of all.


Be careful not to lose that opportunity of becoming “friends” with others just because your opinions have formed pertaining to their physical appearances.


It may be the “best friendship” you can ever find in your lifetime!




For more of encouraging posts, please visit Spiritual Sundays, hosted by sisters Charlotte and Ginger.

27 comments:

  1. AMEN, Sweet Sis! Some of my best friends through out life have been "very" unique. I have found them by not judging and reaching out in unusual situations. GOD has also used me to minister to many who may not fit the mold of norm.
    I do not fit the mold of norm and have come to embrace it. GOD BLESS YOU!
    Love, hugs, and prayers, andrea

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  2. Very good post! Thanks for sharing.

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  3. Such a powerfully truthful post, thank you my friend.

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  4. I love to contemplate my best friend, Jesus! Have a wonderful Saturday!

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  5. I'm glad God knows our hearts and doesn't judge by outward appearance. He just doesn't think like people do. Thank you for sharing this thoughtful post.
    Charlotte

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  6. We get so molded and biased by our social traditions that we can miss out on a wonderful relationship if were not careful.

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  7. Rosel,

    Excellent post! So very true and praise God that Jesus was "set apart!"
    When we choose Him as our friend and Savior we too become set apart and will be able to see the beauty of His children through His eyes and not just the outside! Thankyou for this wonderful heartfelt post today!

    Love you Rosel!

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  8. Amen! Thanks for sharing this post with us, and have a wonderful Sunday.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  9. So true. I have met some of the most amazing and wonderful people in nursing homes, jails, rehab, and programs for people with developmental delays. I am so thankful that God took me out of my "comfort zone" by giving me a child with disabilities. It opened up a whole world of special blessings to me.

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  10. AMEN! WOW this is so powerful! I try so hard not to judge others. Thank-you so much for sharing this with us.
    Ginger

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  11. I am a firm believer of finding the inner beauty in people. This is a beautiful post.

    God bless you Anne

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  12. Rosel,

    I love this post because I have spent years teaching my kids never to judge a book by it's cover. You have to open it up and begin reading to know what's really inside.

    I love your posts and I am blessed simply by having you as part of our family.

    Love and Hugs ~ Kat

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  13. Oh so beautifully said! Thank you for sharing this. We will be having communion this Sunday. What a wonderful devotion to read in preparation for this special service.

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  14. We must look on the inside of a person's heart. Thanks for sharing. Have a wonderful Sunday.

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  15. Thank you for the scripture from Isaiah. What Jesus must have looked like after being beaten makes me realize again to never judge by outward appearances. I will try harder to put this example to work in my life.

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  16. We sometimes learn the hard way not to judge too quickly. This post is a good lesson for us all.

    Blessings, Jeanne

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  17. Beautiful Rosel -- as always. You're right, we CANNOT judge by the "cover" ...

    Love!
    Beth

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  18. What a privilege to be able through Christ to go to the deeper place with another individual and see their beauty! Thank you for sharing such a thought provoking post. Carol

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  19. Great post, friend. Thank goodness, the Lord looks at the heart.

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  20. Wonderful message. Your words painted a picture and made it easier to understand. Thank you.

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  21. What a wonderful post, I am so glad that God looks at my heart, May I never be guilty of judging another person for what is on the outside. Thank you for sharing.
    Blessings,
    Sue

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  22. Rosel,

    I encouraged a dear friend to start a blog. I pray it will help her work through some of life's difficulties. If you get a chance will you stop by her blog. She is a precious friend in need of godly, loving, and supportive friends. You can find her at:

    http://seaglassreflections.blogspot.com

    Blessings and prayers, andrea

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  23. My Precious Friend,

    It's so good to be here. You fill me every time with His goodness as He uses you in so many ways.

    I learned a long time ago to never judge others by what they look like...it's there heart that counts.

    Thank you for always stopping by and visiting me. Your prayers and the prayers of so many, are surely being felt.

    Love, Peace, Hugs & Prayers,
    Alleluiabelle

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  24. Rosel, This post truly displays the heart and ways of our God. When we truly begin to understand Him, we will begin to see others the way that He does. Thanks for the reminder.
    Christy

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  25. Hi Rosel, lovely post, and convicting as well. We really do need God's help to look past the outward, and see a person's heart, to seem them as God sees them.
    God bless.

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