I Samuel 9:2, describing Saul, says he was, “A choice and handsome man, and there was not a more handsome person than he among the sons of Israel; from his shoulders and up he was taller than any of the people.” This is pretty much a description of George Washington! He too was handsome, at 6’2″ very tall for his time – he just looked the part of a general and “the father of his country.” But although Saul may have matched his appearance, he was no George Washington in his character, and in his heart for God, which is what is most important. Looking the part was not enough.

Unfortunately in our society today, we all seem to want to “look the part;” we are all about appearance. I once watched a track meet in which there was a sprinter who “looked the part”: he had on fancy shoes, a snazzy uniform, stylish sunglasses – he just LOOKED like a superstar. I couldn’t wait to see this guy run. But when the race started, it was obvious that he was no athlete. In fact, he finished last! I laughed at how I was taken in by appearances. He “looked the part”, but he was not what he appeared to be.

This should not only put us on guard against the appearances of others, but should also be a cause for personal reflection: is there some way in which you are trying to appear to be something that you are not; perhaps putting on a show of religiosity in church, acting the part of a spiritual person, which you are not living consistently, day by day, in your home? Don’t be caught up in our society’s tendency to think that appearances are everything. One of the lessons of the story of Saul in I Samuel is that it is not enough to just look the part of the person God wants you to be; you have to BE that person in reality.