14 Mar, 2007

Kicked out!

They weren't pretty or popular enough...

Troubled Sorority Cut From Depauw

Greencastle, Ind. (AP) A sorority accused of kicking out nearly two dozen members who weren't pretty or popular enough was evicted from DePauw University, which said the values of Delta Zeta did not fit with the small private college.

The sorority has said the 23 evictions were based on the members' lack of commitment to recruiting new members. But those asked to leave have charged that they were removed because of their appearance, contending they were active and supportive members of their sorority.

University President Robert G. Bottoms said Monday the school was unhappy with Delta Zeta's policies and actions, and with some of the postings on its Web site in response to the controversy that followed the evictions.

"I came to the conclusion that our approaches to these issues are just incompatible," he said in a news conference.

Bottoms said in a letter delivered Monday, that beginning in the fall, the sorority would no longer be recognized as part of the Greek system at the school. He asked the sorority to leave the campus in Greencastle, 40 miles west of Indianapolis, before then.

The sorority's members have long had a reputation as being known more for academics than partying, and their chapter was widely known among students as the "dog house."

photo & story courtesy abcnews.com, 03/13/07

1 Samuel 16:1-7

David Anointed King

16:1 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.” 2 And Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me.” And the Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3 And invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do. And you shall anoint for me him whom I declare to you.” 4 Samuel did what the Lord commanded and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling and said, “Do you come peaceably?” 5 And he said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.” And he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

6 When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord's anointed is before him.” 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (ESV)

What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about outward appearance?

In today's passage, we find Samuel being directed by the LORD to find a man to be the king of Israel. Evidently, Eliab was HOT! He was tall and good looking - you know the kind - someone sure to be admired by the people! (But he didn't make the cut!)

Thankfully, God judges by faith and character, not our looks or lack of them. Since only God can see our true inner qualities, only He can accurately judge people.

God warns us about judging by outward beauty. Most of us spend hours every week trying to look good! Now, there's nothing wrong with trying to look nice and take care of our bodies, but we should do even more to let God develop our inner character and beauty.

With God there is no such thing as a sorority, just family.

How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?

  • Be honest. Do you tend to judge people by outward appearance? Do you feel judged by others for your appearance?
  • Confess to God any way in which you have been judging others by their looks or lack of, or by their popularity. Ask Jesus to help you see others the way He does.
  • If you have been hurt or judged by others for your outward appearance, tell Jesus and let Him remind you of how He sees you!
  • Be honest. What are you doing to maintain and improve your inner qualities? (The answer is that we must be willing to let God give us the faith and desire to abide in Jesus every day. Then our inner qualities become more Christ-like.)

How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture and our story to others?

  • Remember the quote by the President of Depauw: "I came to the conclusion that our approaches to these issues are just incompatible," - The same is true for those of us who are followers of Christ. Judging others by their appearance is incompatible with the heart of God.
  • Talk over this important issue with other followers of Christ. How has our culture affected your attitude toward physical beauty? Are you judging others at school, at work, or even in your family? Hold each other accountable to change the culture around you.
  • You know kids at school or people you work with who probably feel judged by their appearance. Every day, be like Jesus and be intentional about encouraging someone or affirming someone for their inner qualities. This will probably lead to opportunities for you to learn their stories.
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God's Story is brought to you by Youth for Christ. YFC works with young people on campus and in the community in over one hundred countries around the world so that they might have an opportunity to become a follower of Christ and be a part of a local church.

Our writer, Byron Emmert, has been with YFC for over 30 years and has served as Campus Life Staff, in leadership for DCLA, and as an author and speaker. Byron is available for speaking at youth or adult events and conferences. For booking, write to byron@3Story.org.

Byron and his wife Linda live in Minnesota and their family includes two married sons and daughters-in-law, a grandaughter, and a daughter in college. He loves sports, deep dish pizza, and spending time with his family.