The social media celebrates people who are somebody’s: whether rich, famous, good looking, successful or, for some reason, stand out from the crowd. It is easy to think that to really be somebody you have to be somebody. Ordinary doesn’t count in our world. That is largely true. But it is far from true in the Kingdom of God.

There came a time when the first king of Israel had so disappointed God with his lack of obedience that God sent His prophet Samuel to the house of Jesse to anoint one of his son’s king. We read the account in 1 Samuel 16:4-13.

“When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?” 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. When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.” 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.” Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 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.” 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.” 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.

Isn’t it interesting who God chooses to use for His purposes? Samuel never would have thought the next king would be someone from a sheep pen. He didn’t look the part and, for that matter, his training didn’t lend itself to being a king - at least in Samuel’s mind. He was looking for someone who looked the part. But God said something very significant to Samuel: “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 

How often we chase after the things that will make us look good in the eyes of others. And we miss the very thing that God wants for us - hearts that love and follow Him. The first doesn’t matter much. The latter matters a lot. David didn’t look the part but that’s not what God cared about. He cared about His heart, that was one that loved and followed God. Want to be used? Focus on the right thing and God will use you.

Father, I am often seduced by the values of the world. Help me to become enraptured by the values that you care about. May my heart be in alignment with yours and let all the rest of the social nonsense drop away. Amen.