Monday, December 9, 2019
Sunday, December 1, 2019
Character
I saw a woman’s four-caret diamond
ring the other day, it must have been worth $50,000! The gold band was a simple
one, with a few smaller diamonds on either side. Holding the large diamond in
the middle was a setting that included five or six prongs.
Although the setting doesn’t get
nearly as much attention as the diamond itself, it is equally as important. Any
wise jeweler would never put such a precious jewel in a poor or weak setting.
If he did, then one small bump and the gem would be lost. The strength and
quality of the setting will determine the security and staying power of the gem.
Character is like that setting. God
has promised us such wonderful gems! Yet without the basis of character, His promises
would be lost or forfeited at the first bump. The Holy Spirit desires to
produce character in each of us prior to the setting of the gems. Whether those
gems are marriage, an influential position, a ministry, finances or a family,
each of these will require character. This is the setting that needs to be
developed prior to the placement of the gem.
Strengthen your setting. Build your
character. Learn to forgive, to be diligent, to be honest. Learn to stay steady
and faithful, to keep commitments, to go by what you know and not necessarily
by what you feel.
Character is the ability to follow
through on a worthy decision long after the emotion of making that decision has
passed.
God will refine your metal until
its’ pure gold. He will shape your character until it’s strong and trustworthy.
Then when God sees that the setting is ready, He will be faithful to place His
very best gems in your life. That’s when you will shine.
-Adapted from Wayne Cordeiro in Doing Church as a Team
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