All That Glitters is Not Gold

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All That Glitters is Not Gold

1 Samuel 16:7b. “. . . for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
 
“All that glitters is not gold” is a saying that means everything is not what it seems. In the 1800s men and women flocked to California hoping to hit the jackpot by finding gold. Many were disappointed when, after panning the creeks and digging in mines, they ended up with a glittering rock that on further investigation turned out to be less than they had hoped. This shiny mineral, that brought such initial excitement, turned out to be pyrite. Aptly named “fool’s gold” it reflected more light than true gold and often tricked people by its appearance.
People often come across in one way or another. The outward appearance lends itself to a belief about their personality and character that may or may not be true. What we see on the outside can be  deceiving and is often a mask to cover up what is truly going on inside.
Just recently a famous actor and comedian was buried. Robin Williams, by all outward appearances, was very successful. His life was spent making people laugh and forget their problems. His film career included many acclaimed movies such as Mrs. Doubtfire, Aladdin, and Night at the Museum (I, II, and now III). He received numerous awards and trophies throughout his lifetime. Surely someone like this had the best life and experienced all the joy and happiness life had to bring, right?
But “all that glitters is not gold.” Robin Williams struggled with depression along with drug and alcohol addiction. The man who made everyone else laugh, often found himself in the depths of despair. Regularly he turned to substance abuse to try to fix or cover problems that were out of his control. Sadly on August 11, 2014, he succumbed to the pressure and committed suicide by hanging. He was found in his home in, oddly enough, Paradise Cay, California – a paradise that evidently had become for him a living hell.
Though those who laughed at his hilarious antics and immersed themselves in his award-winning films may have thought that his life was one of glitz and glitter, God saw the truth in his heart. Robin was a man hopelessly bogged down with his own inadequacies, struggles, and unfulfilled dreams. But it appears that instead of calling out to the only One who could help him in his greatest need, Robin turned to the world’s solution of alcohol and drugs. He was blinded to the truth by the luster of fame, wealth, and significance. All the while God was  compassionately looking down desiring to pull him out of his pit if only he would have called out.
Don’t be enthralled by the pizzazz of the world. Follow God and do things His way. Outward appearances are not always what they seem and all that glitters is not gold!

Love,

Mama

2 Comments

  1. Cynthia on March 5, 2022 at 7:07 PM

    I love your insights.

    • Sandra Sheridan on March 5, 2022 at 9:39 PM

      Thank you, Cynthia! 😊

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Hi, I'm Sandy! 

I write inspirational letters based on the Bible that share words of hope, encouragement, truth, and healing to my children and anyone else who longs for a mama's touch.

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