The other day a student of mine told me that she was awarded the Founder’s Scholarship 2009 and thank me for my recommendation to the Scholarship Committee. That she received the scholarship was a big surprise to me, because based on my prior experience and understanding the winner must have excellent academic performance, various talents, and actively engage in voluntary work. Before she had applied for the scholarship, I told her to think it over, for it was keenly competitive. She replied to me, “It is a chance for me anyway.”

In 1 Samuel 16: 1-12, Samuel was commanded to anoint one of Jesse’s sons to be king of Israel. As he arrived Jesse’s house and saw Eliab, based on Eliab’s appearance and Samuel’s past experience, he thought to himself that this person must be the Lord’s anointed. But immediately God said to Samuel, “Don’t judge be his appearance or height, . . .  People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at a person’s thoughts and intentions” (v 7).

As the student showed her thanks and appreciation to me, I was embarrassed and guilt instead.