Man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.

~1 Samuel 16:7b ESV

My bucket list is mostly ignored. But I’ve managed to complete one item on that list in style.

Literally. How “Try on a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes” made a tomboy’s list is a story in itself. Curiosity, is the short answer.

What makes someone spend tens of thousands of dollars on a purse, or thousands on a pair of shoes? Too broke for access to the exclusive Birkin bags, I settled on shoes. Fueled by boredom I visited an upscale boutique. With my 3-year-old dressed like royalty, I traded sweats for something that wouldn’t expose this phony.  I parked my jalopy out of view for the same reason. Initially, no one approached us. They weren’t rude, just not eager to help. Finally, a salesman took a chance and offered his assistance.

My moment to shine had come. “Do you carry Ferragamo?”

“No, but we have a great shoe selection.”

The salesman led the way to the rack, explaining their current, incredible sale while I offered what little I knew of the exorbitant items. Satisfied with my knowledge, the salesman relaxed as I looked at shoes. That’s when I saw them–Jimmy Choo shoes. On clearance they were a whopping $695, at 70% off! I was nearly giddy from the foolishness I was about to be feet deep in.

“Jimmy Choo, let’s see what all the is fuss about.”

I slipped off my shoes, and on Jimmy Choos, fighting giggles that would blow my cover. As I strut the store in footwear I couldn’t afford, I had checked off a bucket list item, and won the salesman’s dedication. Convinced of my worthiness, he offered better service. A luxurious dressing room for me, a fancy playroom for my daughter, all while I tried on items priced higher than our monthly income. As I prepared to leave, he asked, “Is there anything I could get for you today or order for you?”

“No. I’m satisfied with my selections for this season. Thanks.” I didn’t look back to see if their eyes followed me to my car.

The giggles took over. My exercise in immaturity echoed the truth, “man looks at the outward appearance.” Remembering this fact has allowed me to be taken seriously at times I would have been overlooked, while ignoring it has caused me to be dismissed at times I should have been heard. This is not so with God. He offered the highest service when we least deserved it. It is incomprehensibly magnanimous. God looks at our hearts, knows everything about us, and still offers kindness.

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

~Romans 5:8 NKJV

The Lord sees our hearts. He sees our motives, the secrets, the truth. I fooled the salesman, but there’s not a chance of me doing so with God. If I don’t humble myself and ask the Lord to create a clean heart in me, I will not do good. However there is hope because the God who reads hearts, also heals them. He is not looking at our hearts as a spectator. God is looking at us like a physician who has the cure; we need only follow His prescription.

That day taught me that a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes could produce bunions and corns like any good Payless brand, and that despite giggling because I fooled the salesman, I missed an opportunity. There I stood, clothed in the world’s finest, while conning a man, I was not considering the God who in that very moment was looking at my heart. My complete nakedness before Him, and my motives were as obvious to Him.

High-end, low-end, or no-end, in the end the heart is exposed to the Lord. Only His righteousness can cleanse it. Instead of dressing it in the fanciness of worldly things or religion, let’s clothe ourselves in humility. Let’s model its redemption, and the Name of Jesus, with joy greater than anything we wear, let’s follow Him.

Share how the Lord brought healing to a broken area of your heart.

Father God, at great cost You purchased ransomed hearts. Clothe me in truth. Ready my feet with the the gospel of peace. Teach me to wear Your righteousness and salvation. Give me faith, and lead me by Your Spirit so that each person You send to me will know she too can be Your child, and chose to be clothed in Your righteousness. Daily, guide my steps.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

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