Nothing To Look At

Dear Salt & Light Friends,

The world has an unhealthy obsession with beauty. Marketers know we are naturally drawn to the polished, and they use that instinct to sell us everything from entertainment to lifestyle. Even within our churches, we can fall into the trap of valuing outward appearance or charisma over character.

Social media platforms—from Facebook to Substack—rely on AI-influenced algorithms to keep us addicted to a “forever scroll” of curated perfection. These screens train us to look for the flashy and the loud, pulling our attention away from what matters.

Let’s look at the description of the Savior in Isaiah 53:2:

“My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him.”

When the Word became flesh, most people missed the beauty of Christ because they were looking for a King in a palace, not a servant, and certainly not a Savior on a cross. I often miss His beauty for the same reason—I’m looking in the wrong places, searching for grand gestures or worldly success while He is working in the quiet or unexpected places.

I caught a glimpse of true beauty a few Sundays ago. I saw a couple in their mid-70s at my church. They could easily “coast” through retirement, but instead, they choose to serve, and they choose to serve frequently. One week they are greeting at the doors with genuine smiles; the next, they are teaching in the children’s program, pouring into the lives of my own kids.

When people lay aside their comfort to serve Christ and His people, that is true beauty. As 1st Peter 3:4 reminds us:

“You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.”

If this reflection was a 'tender shoot' for your soul today, consider helping us keep the soil watered. Your support helps keep The Salt & Light Daily free for everyone. Water the seeds (Buy Me A Coffee).

Don’t miss the 'tender shoots' growing in your life today. They might not look like much to the world—a neighbor’s quiet help, the tender voice of a child, a friend’s consistent presence, or a gentle touch of care from another—but they are precious to the Father.

Whether it was in a person’s quiet service or a circumstance that caught you by surprise, I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.

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Happy Easter! May the light of Christ renew your spirit through the water of His Word and the Holy Spirit.