Looks can be Deceiving
"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." (1 Peter 3:3-5 NIV)
We have all heard that old saying, "Looks can be
deceiving." Well, I got some good proof of it this morning as I was shaving.
I looked in the mirror and noticed that some of the hairs in my mustache
were as white as my shaving cream. I laughed about this because I feel more
alive, vibrant, and joyous now than I did when I was twenty. I got a little
more proof later on as I walked through my tiny home and sat in my old, worn
chair. Two cats quickly jumped on my lap while a smile leaped to my face. It
seemed funny that in this society where fame and fortune are looked on as
everything that I had found so much joy in such a simple life with so little
money. It was a short time later, however, that I got the greatest proof of
all. The sun broke through the clouds, shone through my window, and gently
warmed my face. Bathed in that golden light I felt not only the heat of the
sun but also the loving touch of God on my face, in my heart, and through my
soul. I knew then that life’s greatest joys can’t be seen with the eyes at
all.
Looks truly can be deceiving. Joy, love, energy, and vitality don’t end when
your body gets old, but can continue until your last breath and beyond.
Fame, fortune, and material things may look nice on the surface, but they
don’t bring your heart and soul any lasting peace or happiness. This natural
world we live in is both blessed and beautiful, but beyond it there is
another world that is even more blessed and more beautiful.
We are only here for a short time. Let’s not be deceived by appearances
then. Look at things with your eyes, but feel them with your heart and see
them with your soul. Take care of your body, but know that you are much
more. Work in this world, but always live in the Kingdom of Heaven. Do all
the good you can, share all the love you can, and choose all the joy you can
in this life. But know that an even greater life full of God’s love and
light awaits you.
By: Joseph J. Mazzella