Jeannie looked over at Michelle and thought to herself why did she just volunteer me for that task, she knows me, I’m an introvert. As she chewed on this more, irritation rose in the pit of her stomach and she began to resent coming to today’s girls lunch. Walking to their cars, Jeannie asked Michelle, “What were you thinking when you recommended me? I don’t like talking in front of groups!” Michelle’s response pierced. It was as if it came from God Himself when she said, “Why wouldn’t you do something just because it’s hard? Heaven knows you have a gift to share and story to tell.”
Truth be told, I’m so thankful for the “Michelle’s” in my life that encourage me to step outside of what is comfortable and do what is Christ-like. All to often we live our lives through the lens of personality or character traits. Popular culture and psychology tell us through testing and assessments whether we are melancholy or sanguine. They inform us about our tendencies to be perceiving versus judging. All of these tools are nice as long as they don’t become labels that we hide behind.
My good friend Stacy reminded me today of the power in sharing personal experiences along with scripture. My husband’s wise words to me, “Honey look how Jesus taught. He gave us parables to understand how to apply the bible to every day.” My own personality is to quietly and safely dive into the bible and focus mostly on what it says. Finding a great picture as a backdrop from my morning study and posting on Facebook is easy. Sharing the power of His Word in my life is vulnerable. It’s risky.
Maybe you can relate. Perhaps you describe yourself as “direct” and may even say “that’s just the way I am.” Well friend, I’m learning that there is a problem with that belief. It is more accurate to say, “that’s who I used to be”. When the bible outlines the fruit of the Spirit, it looks nothing like a personality inventory. You don’t see the words extrovert or intuitive. The list describes God, not us. My take away- we do have personalities and character traits, but they don’t have us.
Once we are born again of God, we are a new creation. Old things (characteristics) have passed away and all things become new. Awareness of your “old things” is great. However, carrying around your “old things” as an excuse is not so great. This next week listen to how you describe yourself. Pay attention to your personal narrative. Are you living in the new creation or carrying around the old character?
- “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV
- “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Galatians 5:22-24 NKJV
- “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. Ephesians 5:8-10 NKJV
- “Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: ‘O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?’ says the Lord. ‘Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand.” Jeremiah 18:5-6 NKJV
- “But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why have you made me like this?’ Does not the potter have power over the clay?” Romans 9:20-21 NKJV
