How do you judge?
My father was known to be a man with who you wouldn’t mess. I can’t think of anyone who I knew to be less fearless. He was small like me but he knew how to put fear in his enemy. I hardly knew how to put fear into a cat! I didn’t have it in me to be violent. Sure I had a few scrapes and on occasions, I could be a bully but it was not really me. I learnt somehow along the way to use my head to avoid physical conflict. This meant on occasions to position myself behind those who could be violent and effective with it.
We as people can underestimate each other judging by outward appearances. Those who may use violence as a first or last resort have to be won over by the heart. If they trust you they are less likely to be aggressive.
It is not only those who can use physical violence who need managing there are those who use emotions as their tool of choice or arrogance or bravo. They too need managing. The ability to read hearts is an invaluable gift.
The story is told of the prophet Samuel who was sent to the House of Jesse to find the next King. Jesse had twelve sons most of who were tall and strong. Samuel came to his home and Jesse had lined up 10 of his sons the ones he believed looked the part of a King. Samuel inspected each of them like a captain on a parade ground. He shook his head at number 1, number 2, and as he progressed down the line. None of them was to be King.
Somewhat puzzled Samuel asked Jesse did he have any other sons?” Jesse hesitated not believing his other two sons were the right material. He found number 11 though when Samuel looked at him he said he would make a football team but not Royalty. He enquired again of Jesse, “Do you have any other sons?” Reluctantly Jesse opened the door and whistled. Some sheep ran to the door and soon behind them was David, half the height of any of his brothers. Almost as soon as Samuel saw him he knew. When the boy came in his brothers laughed, “It can’t be David!” Samuel took the container of oil and anointed David head with the contents. The laughter stopped, a King had been made.
The inside of his ring read ( if it all fitted) “Man judges by outward appearance God judges by the inward heart.”
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