In a society where appearances are everything, what does it mean to truly be seen? Join Celeste as she draws from the Netflix movie Uglies and explores how God values what’s inside rather than outward appearances, reflecting on the story of David and his unexpected calling.
Blog Version
In a world that often focuses on outward appearances, it’s easy to feel overlooked. We long for someone to notice us for who we truly are. But what does God see when He looks at us? The story of David in 1 Samuel 16 offers powerful insight into what truly matters to Him.
What Does God Notice?
In the movie Uglies, society is obsessed with physical beauty, and people are labeled as “ugly ” until the age of 16. The protagonist, Tally, longs to be seen for more than just her appearance—a feeling many of us can relate to. In the same way, we often wonder what God notices about us. Is it our talents, our achievements, or even our appearance?
1 Samuel 16:7 gives us the answer: “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” When the prophet Samuel searched for Israel’s next king, he thought it would be one of Jesse’s strong, handsome sons. But God had His eyes on David, the youngest, overlooked, and far from the ideal king by human standards. Yet, God saw David’s heart—his love for Him and his desire to follow Him.
God Sees Your Heart
Like David, God isn’t focused on your outward appearance or past mistakes. He sees your heart, your struggles, your desires, and your efforts to follow Him, even when life gets tough. If you’re wrestling with your faith or feeling unseen, take comfort in knowing that God sees you, not for what the world values but for who you truly are inside.
God values the heart that seeks Him, even amid struggles. Your struggles are not failures; they are signs that you are striving to live as God created you to be, even in a broken world. Just as He saw David’s heart and called him for a great purpose, He sees yours too.
Final Thoughts
Remember that God sees beyond the surface, no matter how unseen or overlooked you may feel. He sees your heart, struggles, and desire to live for Him. You are loved and noticed by the One who truly matters. Keep striving, and trust that God sees who you are.