THE BEAUTY OF THE HEART

We live in a world that’s obsessed with appearances. Everywhere we turn, society places an immense value on how we look—our bodies, our clothes, the cars we drive, and even the homes we live in. People may judge us by what we wear, how much we’ve achieved, or how we present ourselves.

But God has a different perspective. The Bible tells us about God’s criteria for beauty: “People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). It’s easy for people to overlook you, to discount you because you don’t fit their mold. But God sees your heart. He sees you when you choose to do the right thing, even when no one is watching. That’s what matters to God.

The heart—this isn’t just where our emotions come from; it’s where our character, our intentions, and our deepest thoughts reside. It’s the core of who we are. This is where true beauty begins. Real beauty doesn’t fade with time. It’s not affected by the wrinkles on your face or the graying of your hair. The beauty God values is found in the purity, love, and goodness that flows from within.

I remember someone once asked me, “Will I recognize my wife in the Kingdom of Heaven?” And my response was this: It’s in Heaven where we will finally see one another as God sees us. We’ll fully understand the true beauty of each other’s hearts—cleansed from sin, shining in God’s radiant light. There, the superficial will be stripped away, and what remains will be the beauty of the soul, the beauty of a heart transformed by God’s grace.

So, friends, let’s take a moment to reflect on what really matters. Are we putting more effort into what people see on the outside, or are we letting God work on the inside? Remember, true beauty isn’t skin deep—it’s heart deep. And when you let God shine through your heart, that’s when your real beauty will radiate for all the world to see.

Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan
September 5, 2024

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• People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart