Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Proverbs 31:30 NIV
In the 2001 animated film Shrek, there's a conversation between Shrek the Ogre, and his not yet, soon to be best friend, Donkey, that there is more to him than his appearance.
Shrek: "Onions have layers. Ogres have layers. Onions have layers. You get it? We both have layers.”
Donkey: "Oh, you both have LAYERS. Oh. You know, not everybody like onions. What about cake? Everybody loves cake!"
In today's verse, we also see layers; that thing of far greater value–the innermost layer–is a sense of awe for the Lord. Moving outward from that center is to love and worship God. From that love, we learn to love others and ourselves. As a result, another layer is added as we seek justice and mercy for all, and in grace-filled compassion, we take steps to alleviate their suffering. We help to feed, clothe, and pray with them. Each layer represents a growth in righteousness that is transparent to the naked eye.
There's another way to look at onions. The way God looks from the inside out. He sees not what is there but the potential of what can be. In an old couple named Abram and Sarai, God saw the progenitors of a great nation in Rahab, the prostitute, the deliverer of a city, and in Peter, the denier, the rock Christ would build his church. He sees something special in each of us, looking beyond that outer layer, the skin, to what he can do with what's inside.
God, we thank you for looking inside out and seeing the potential of who we can be. Humbled in your presence, we stand in awe. Help us build layers of righteousness to become those people you envision. Lord, use us as you will. In Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
Shrek, Onions have layers clip.
