Judging a book by its cover

On a recent visit to a dollar store I picked up a book. The author is a former television pastor of international fame. His smiling image is prominent on the cover, along with an endorsement from a TV psychologist and New York Times Best Seller credit. My initial instinct was, “You don’t need this.” But, one dollar, best seller, and subtitle promising “God’s direction for your life” was too much, and I bought a copy.

The old adage, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” could not be more appropriately applied. What I thought would be a mediocre, ho-hum read turned out to be a challenging outline for developing Jesus’ disciples. An anecdote introducing the theme of each chapter was worth more than a dollar. The wisdom is timeless. And, after reading the first fifty pages, I returned to the store to buy a dozen additional copies to share with young people who could benefit the most. Alas, the store’s inventory was down to only one copy. I’ll check other sources for more copies, but I am embarrassed that I misjudged the contents based on a cover that exposed my prejudice.

When Samuel was impressed with Jesse’s son, Eliab, the Lord cautioned Samuel with, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) We are easily impressed with the world’s value system of appearance, achievements, and acquisitions. Even church leadership literature recommends “hiring tens,” or those who can perform at the highest level (like Olympian gymnasts). Let’s face it, in making judgments we are often prejudiced by non-biblical values.

The “diamond in the rough,” needs to be given an opportunity. Someone must invest deeply in those whose hearts are pure and desire to follow Jesus obediently. Someone invested in me or I would have been like the volumes on the “last chance” table at the booksellers. Most students applying for internships with Northeast Urban Church Planting were inexperienced, unpolished, and obviously too young. Those same people are now advancing the Kingdom of God in a most admirable manner in many challenging places.

Let us humbly return to the Scripture, “Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.” (1 Corinthians 1:26-29) Let us remember that God makes no junk, that all have been designed with Divine purpose, and that everyone needs help in the process of becoming what pleases God.

For one, I’ll be more careful when judging books in the future! Have a great day!