2 Corinthians 10:7-10 -- On Appearances, Weaknesses, Judgements, and Love

"Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ’s, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ’s, even so are we Christ’s. For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed: That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters. For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible." 2 Corinthians 10:7-10 It's interesting to me that Paul talks about the outward appearance, and then talks about his power in writing being stronger than his face-to-face presence and power in speaking. Moses had a similar weakness, claiming to be slow of speech and slow of tongue. Moroni seems to have been opposite, saying that they were not mighty in writing like the Brother of Jared, but rather that their words were "powerful and great, even that we cannot write them." I think that all of this together is a strong message about the way that we look at other people, and the way that we make judgements and decisions. Are we dismissing people because of something external or comparing our strengths to their weaknesses? The prophets all had weaknesses... it's more than likely that we, and the people around us, have some too. Today, let's try to see past the outward appearance and the possibly stumbling words, or the awkward writing. Let's do our best to see as God sees, with love. And when we're having trouble with that, let's pray to him for help to let us glimpse others as he sees them. Let's listen and learn what is inside.