Don’t judge a book by its cover

We have all heard the old axiom about not judging a book by its cover. Last week, I saw a social media post about a book sale, and they were selling a variety of books for cheap, including some old Harlequin romance novels for pennies. It got me to thinking.

Back in their heyday, Harlequin romance novels were very popular. For whatever reason, they flew off the shelves, and we will shy away for why that happened. But, it seems to me like they were anywhere from $2.95 to $5.95 apiece back in those days.

So, to see them being sold just for pennies got me to musing on this subject. I mean, the content of those books has not changed. The subject matter that made them so popular is still in there. The cover art is still the same. These books were maybe just a tad worn around the edges, maybe they were missing pages, or perhaps they had water damage. Maybe they were a little dirty. For whatever reason, they weren’t as valuable as they once were.

It makes me think that we do the same thing to the people around us. We walk down the street or through the store and we see people that maybe are a little worn on the outside. We pass people every day that maybe aren’t as well kept, their “cover” is not new and shiny, or maybe they are just ragged around the edges for whatever reasons. I dare say, most of us, judge them for these things.

We walk past them and avert our eyes, we pick up the pace of our gait as we pass by, or maybe there are those who openly ridicule or scorn. Sadly, it happens even in our churches, and I know that to be true because I have experienced firsthand.

We are a society that has become immersed in outward appearances and wealth. If that was not true, then television shows like the Kardashians and Real Housewives and the like would not be so popular. Our kids grow up now wanting what they see modeled by tv, TikTok influencers, and YouTube stars. I recently sat confounded as I watched my grandson watch a video of another kid playing a game. Then I was told that the kid playing the game, who is still in grade school, is a millionaire for posting videos of himself playing games.

There is definitely something wrong with that whole scenario.

Thankfully, the judge who judges us looks beyond the superficial and beyond the haggard cover. Our judge looks into our heart and soul and deems us worthy of receiving the gift of eternal life. To receive His gift we don’t have to wear Prada shoes, or carry Michael Kors handbags. We don’t need to drive a Benz or a BMW to drive through His gates. He only judges us for what is in our heart, not our bank account.

I guess what I am trying to say is this. Before making a judgement on somebody, see what is inside first. Instead of driving or walking past that person on the street that looks a little worn, see what is inside the cover. We all need to remember that Jesus spent His time turning the pages on the lives of thieves, harlots, tax collectors and fishermen.

You never know, what you find inside the cover might turn out to be the best story you ever read.