The auditorium was packed. On the stage stood a large choir, composed entirely of teenagers. These young men and women had given up their summer to tour the country, singing of their love for Jesus Christ through popular songs of the faith.

The choir did not disappoint. Their devotion to God was both evident and inspirational; they sang with clear conviction that hung on every note.

At one point, a teenage girl stepped forward for a solo. She sang the song, “My Father’s Eyes,” by Amy Grant. When the teen was done, there was not a dry eye in the house. Because of that young lady, this song took on new meaning for me and for everyone in attendance.

You see, it was not the quality of the presentation that moved us that day; it was the quality of the presenter.

Did I mention that this was no ordinary choir? It was made up entirely of teenagers with various intellectual disabilities. The young lady who boldly came forward to sing had Down syndrome. Her features bore the evidence of her condition. Her voice, though lovely, was not perfect. Her delivery was not without flaw. But the beauty of her heart was evident to all of us. Thus, she redefined that popular song when she sang:

I may not be every mother’s dream for her little girl

And my face may not grace the mind of everyone in the world

But that’s all right as long as I can have one wish I pray

When people look inside my life, I want to hear them say

“She’s got her Father’s eyes.”

Through one song, the soloist beckoned us to judge her, not by what we saw on the outside, but by what we saw on the inside. She had found intimacy with her Lord and she wanted to share it with all who were willing to listen—to look beyond human imperfection and see the Perfect One living in her heart.

The good news is that God does not use superficial standards, like we are often tempted to do. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord offers forgiveness for all our sinful imperfections. Through Christ, we become new creatures. We become beautiful on the inside.

This is why God warned the prophet Samuel, “ Pay no attention to how tall and handsome he is. I have rejected him, because I do not judge as people judge. They look at the outward appearance, but I look at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7, GNT).

When we look upon others, may we strive to see them as our Father does, valuing the quality of their hearts and not the characteristics of their flesh or wardrobe. And when others view us, may they walk away saying that we do indeed have our Father’s eyes.