One of my favorite quotes of all time comes from Thomas Edison, who famously said that “most people miss opportunity because it comes dressed in overalls and looks like work.” Among the most important decisions we all must make is to resist the deeply embedded human tendency to evaluate people, opportunities and situations based on what they look like. That tendency is probably responsible for the overwhelming majority of mistakes that most of us have made. That tendency is also probably responsible for the overwhelming majority of blessings that we have missed!

There is a classic story in scripture that illustrates this unfortunate tendency. Samuel was instructed by God to select Saul as the first King of Israel. Saul had the physical bearing and the demeanor of a prince. Had a Hollywood casting agent went searching for someone to play the part of the first King of Israel, Saul would have been the obvious choice. 1 Samuel 10:23 informs us that Saul was “head and shoulders above everyone else,” a description of his physical height. Then, as now, we tend to ascribe moral, mental, and emotional qualities to people based on their physical size. The phrase “Napoleon complex” stems from the French leader of the same name who was reportedly short of stature, and is said to have attempted to overcompensate for his short stature by his military exploits. Pundits who study the American political system will tell you that in most televised debates and campaigns, the taller candidate usually wins. We associate height with strength, vision, and durability.

Of course none of this is necessarily true. But we have to tendency to think it is—and believe, act, and choose accordingly. So you can imagine how disappointed Samuel was when God informed him that Saul would have to be replaced. After all, Saul looked the part! But from God’s perspective, Saul could not play the part. God had someone else in mind, and sent Samuel on a recruiting trip to fish him out. While headed there, God gave Samuel precise instructions on what not to look for. This what God told him:

God addressed Samuel: “So, how long are you going to mope over Saul? You know I’ve rejected him as king over Israel. Fill your flask with anointing oil and get going. I’m sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I’ve spotted the very king I want among his sons. I can’t do that,” said Samuel. “Saul will hear about it and kill me.” God said, “Take a heifer with you and announce, ‘I’ve come to lead you in worship of God, with this heifer as a sacrifice.’ Make sure Jesse gets invited. I’ll let you know what to do next. I’ll point out the one you are to anoint….

When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Here he is! God’s anointed!”But God told Samuel, “Looks aren’t everything. Don’t be impressed with his looks and stature. I’ve already eliminated him. God judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; God looks into the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:1-3;6-7 MSG

Samuel assumed that Eliab would be the next king because he looked the part. But God had something else in mind. The next King wasn’t even in the house! He was outside, tending sheep. His name was David. And while the scripture informs us that David was good looking, it was not his looks that impressed God. What impressed God was David’s heart. What impressed God was not what David had on the outside, but what David had on the inside. What impressed God was not David’s surface, but David’s substance. If Samuel had followed his instincts, he would have missed a blessing.

Question: How many blessings have you missed because the blessing didn’t look the way you thought it should?

If you have, don’t feel bad. I’ve been there—and done that, far too many times than I’d like to admit. All of us have to work very hard not to allow our shortsighted, faulty perspectives from derailing what God has for us. God taught me this lesson in an unforgettable way several years ago. The church I lead began meeting on the campus of a local university. After a few years, we relocated into a large empty warehouse that required extensive renovations. I contacted several local contractors, and with each new I call grew increasingly depressed, because every bid I received was several million dollars, several more million dollars than we had. LOL

A young woman in our church heard about our efforts and keep telling me about her stepfather. For at least a year, she kept bragging about her stepfather, and how he might be able to help us. To be completely honest, I only called her stepfather so she would stop badgering me. Finally, I called Bro Benny.

I remember when he walked into my office. I was immediately disappointed with who I saw. He was 73 then, and I thought to myself “what on earth can this old man do?” But for reasons I can’t even explain, I decided to give him a shot. I wish I could take credit for the decision. All I can say is that sometimes God works through us even when we don’t know it. Well, you can probably already guess what happened. I discovered that Bro. Benny was a master carpenter and had built hundreds of churches throughout Southern California. That 73 year old man renovated that warehouse—almost singlehandedly. I haven’t met many people as wise, skilled, or strong as he is. God blessed our ministry—and me through him. And by the way, the project did not cost anywhere NEAR a million dollars, let alone several million. Bro Benny reminded me more than few times that God told him to give us a discount! LOL.

My Bro Benny experience is how God cured me of judging people, opportunities, and situations by my eyes. Bro Benny was a blessing in disguise.

Takeaway: There is a Bro Benny trying to get your attention right now.

Return the call.

Open the email.

Say yes to the date.

Go on the interview.

Speak to the stranger.

It might be a blessing in disguise.