HEALTHY INGREDIENTS
Martie, is a careful shopper when it comes to buying
healthy and nutritious food. No matter how attractive the packaging looks, she
checks the list of ingredients on the back of the box. Lots of
difficult-to-pronounce words usually announce the presence of preservatives
that work against good nutrition. She always puts those items back on the shelf
and continues to look for labels with lists of natural food products that
contribute to good health.
I’ve often thought that her shopping habits are a lot
like what God is looking for in our lives: It’s what’s on the inside that
counts, regardless of how attractive the outside might be. It’s no wonder that
the wisdom-teller of Proverbs warns us to guard what goes into our hearts, “for
out of it spring the issues of life” (Prov. 4:23). Wearing the right fashions
and keeping ourselves looking young are of little importance if our hearts
harbor greed, hatred, grumpiness, self-pity, and other counter-productive
contents.
So, ask yourself: When others get past the packaging
of my life, do they experience a heart full of healthy, Christ-honoring
ingredients? By putting in grace, kindness, patience, and compassion, we’ll
reflect the wonderful nature of Christ.
The contents in your heart are more important than the
outer packaging. (RBC)
