Let’s be honest. When we evaluate Christian leaders, appearance is a starting point, for better or worse. We also want our leaders to act a certain way. Looking at our standards, you would think we were choosing entertainers instead of leaders.

Israel made the same mistake when they chose a king. First Samuel 9:2 says Saul was “an impressive young man without equal among the Israelites—a head taller than any of the others.” (I wonder if he had great hair too?)

On the inside, however, Saul fell short. He compromised and he let his ego think for him. Ultimately, God had to reject him as king and choose another.

Even Samuel showed his human perspective when God sent him to Jesse’s family to anoint the next king. Samuel looked at the oldest son and thought, Cha-ching! We got us a winner.

The Lord had to correct him: “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him” (1 Samuel 16:7). God finally directed Samuel to the youngest, a shepherd boy with a huge heart for God—David.

David turned out to be a pretty good choice. He established a secure nation that followed God. God responded by establishing David’s throne for eternity, with Jesus being the fulfillment of that promise.

You really can’t judge a book by its cover, good or bad. You might have voted for Saul over David too, before David had the chance to demonstrate his faith.

So be warned: Before you go making snap judgments on a leader’s qualifications—stop. Who says you are supposed to make such judgments anyway?

The next time, read the person a little before you pass judgment on his or her qualifications to lead. Otherwise, you might get stuck with a Saul. Those leader-type looks can get old when there is no substance behind the style! —JC

REFLECTION

• Why are even Christians sometimes swayed by physical appearance rather than character as a qualification for leadership? 
• In what ways do I make a mistake in evaluating leaders? What qualities should I emphasize?