“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” — John 10:27, NIV
People can be quick to size one another up. They notice the tattoos, the scars, the past, the rough edges, and the places where someone does not look like what they think a Christian ought to look like. But thank the Lord, people do not get the final say.
God has always looked deeper than the outside. When Samuel was looking for a king, the Lord reminded him that people look at outward appearance, but He looks at the heart. A person may have a story marked by pain, mistakes, and miles traveled the hard way, yet Jesus still sees a beloved soul He came to save.
The Good Shepherd is not scared off by a scarred-up life. He knows how to find folks who have been overlooked, misunderstood, or raised around trouble. He calls them by name, teaches them His voice through His Word, and leads them in His truth.
Now, let us be biblical and plain: Jesus does not leave us in sin; He saves us and calls us to follow Him. But nobody has to clean themselves up before coming to the Shepherd. We come as we are, repent, believe, and let His grace change us from the inside out.
So do not count yourself out, and do not count somebody else out either. The Lord can use a voice the world dismissed to shine His light in a dark place. If Jesus has changed your heart, your story may be the very thing that helps another weary soul find the Shepherd, too.
Prayer for today:
Jesus, thank You for knowing me completely and loving me still. Help me hear Your voice, follow Your Word, and never judge others by the outside. Use my story to point someone toward You. Amen.
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