It's what's not seen that counts the most.

I remember an Enid Blyton book with a story about a great oak and a small, thin willow. The willow was small and thin because it was overshadowed by the great oak. However, the willow's roots go further into the earth than the oak's. Upon hearing that, the oak pooh-poohed the claim saying that roots don't show, so it doesn't matter. Then one day, a heavy storm came and blew the mighty oak over. The willow however, remained standing because its roots were deep enough to hold it.

In a way, that represents life. Most of us, we are like the oak. We see the supposed strength from the outside. We fail to see the strength on the inside. Even worse, we disregard it! I think, a lot of times we don't see the work done behind the scenes, the heart and the real reason things are done, and we only see what's the end result. We believe that the end justifies the means. Or that if it looks good on the outside, the inside doesn't matter.

Of course, when we've done our homework, when our intentions are good, when our motives are right, we will of course do good things. And people will pick up on that. Athletes who train hard enough are bound to win. When we do as God says, it's definitely going to be successful.

But the important thing is not the outside that counts, it's the inside. Without proper training, you can still win some races. But when you don't train well enough, you're not going to be the best and you're liable to get hurt more. And no matter what you do, at the end of the day, God sees the heart. Because you don't have to be good, to do good things. Anyone can donate to charity, but for many different reasons. Some do it because they really want to support the charity, some just want the world to think that they are charitable.

When our hearts are set on the right values and for the right goals, it doesn't matter what we do; it'll all be for good. And it matters! What our intentions are, what we do something for is important! Because the cause, the reason behind our actions dictate the support we get and the end result. I tell you now: you may get the right results with the wrong motives, but you'll not be satisfied.

It's true, the end result will follow the action taken. If you're fast enough, you will win the race. If you're smart enough, you'll do well in exams. And when you help an old lady across the street, she's definitely going to make it no matter why you did it in the first place.

But what's different is in the heart. Take it from me, you may be a success in academics but unless you actually work hard at it, there's no satisfaction. What we didn't work to get, we won't value. You may do all the good deeds the world says is good, but if your heart is not right, you won't feel the peace and satisfaction. After all, many people in life has succeeded without God. The difference is those who succeed with God, succeed outstandingly and amazingly. Plus, they do it with peace, serenity and enjoying the journey. Many people don't see this because the difference is within and not without.

The difference is also in eternity. Yes, anyone can be a success no matter what they do and no matter how they get there. But at the end of the day, what do you get? Does it bring you a step nearer to God and knowing Him? Or is it purely worldly gain that doesn't count for anything on your deathbed? Will all you do give glory unto God and help others know His mercy, grace and love? Or will others simply see you as another man, having done what anyone else would have done?

So you see, it's the inside that counts, so much more than the outside. A good heart brings about good results but good results does not mean a good heart. The difference is in the subtle things, things not seen. But ooooohhhhh.... how much more do those matter!!!!!

Matthew 16:26 - "What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?"

Truly, the best things in life are free because God has given it unto us. Our soul is one such as that and nothing can ever buy it. The soul can only be gained through glorifying God and doing His work on Earth. It does not come through world gains that only the world can see.