Even the most ordinary can be extraordinary

First, watch this video.

Did you watch it??? Ok. Good.

Kinda tough, huh? Probably because we are all guilty in some way, of bullying. I know I do it every day. Sometimes I don't say it out loud, but I do think some really bad stuff when I see some people out there. I can't help it though! No excuse? I know. Just keep that in mind next time you say or think something that you know you shouldn't.

NOW... pick up your Bible and go read 1 Samuel 16: 1-13. Ok, ok... here ya go:

1 The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”
2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.”
The LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.”
4 Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?”
5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.”
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 people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”
“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep."
Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”
12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.
Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”
13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.

Got it?? Ok good... now watch this video. I know, its kinda long but it's Disney so who really cares??

Now... see any similarities between the scripture and the video?

No?

Re-read the scripture, but instead of Jesse (the father) use the evil step-mother. Instead of Samuel, think of that crazy guy with the eyeglass. Instead of the brothers, think of the stepsisters. Finally, instead of David, think of Cinderella, the girl who has been shunned and forgotten because of her "unimportance". NOW do you see it?

Now, think back to the first video and the young lady who was shunned as an outcast because of her sexuality, appearance, and anything and everything else. Kinda similar, huh?

But here is the catch- we can judge outward appearance all we want, and we do. We have all had it happen to us, and we all do it to others. But when is the last time you heard of God saying "nope, that girl is too fat... I can't love her" or "that boy can't play basketball at all... no way is he coming into my courts" or an even more common "NOPE... they don't look like me or act like me and I just don't understand them. They won't be showing their face around here if I have any say in it, and by the way, I am God so I do have a say". NEVER. Why? Because God has made us all in his image and focuses only on our hearts, not on our hair or athletic ability or language or skin color or sexuality or religion or weight or what jeans we are wearing... get it yet?

So here is the final key: God made us in his image, but that doesn't do much good if we don't act in his way. When we make judgments on people before we know them, not only do we miss a whole lot, but we are doing serious damage. Think back to the girl in the video. Now, it may not always be that extreme, but you never know.

My example???

During the spring semester of my Junior year I was in a class that taught us how to teach (figure that one out). There was this guy sitting across from me that seemed nice, but he definitely didn't act like everyone else I hung out with so he never really caught my attention to the point that I went out of my way to hang out with him. Even worse, I never realized he had been in at least one class with me every semester up until that point! Another reason why I didn't take a second glance? Easy- race. He was black, I was a flirtatious white girl, and that just didn't happen. Wanna see something kinda funny? Look at my facebook profile picture- that handsome guy that has me smiling from ear to ear? Guess who that is. I finally took the time to get to know him one afternoon when a bunch of us went to dinner together and found out that he was a pretty ok guy... ok enough that I have now been dating him for almost a year. I could have missed out on what has been the best year of my life, all because I judged a book by it's cover rather than actually reading it like God would do.

So just think next time you start to make a judgment or make a negative comment. You might be talking to a girl like the one in the video... maybe you have come across the very unimpressive little kid that God has called on to be king... maybe you are in a situation like me and are about to miss out on a pretty incredible relationship... maybe you will get lucky and nothing will happen (HA! not likely).

So lets actually live up to the image we were made in, and act the way that God would- judge by the heart, not the outward appearance because even the most ordinary can be extraordinary.