Character

Have you ever noticed that things like character development take time, intentionality and often a lot of work before it becomes a habit, second nature, or even noticed by others?

As believers we need to make a decision and a commitment, to become determined to grow and mature so we can live in a deep and meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ. This doesn't come from watching a daily talk show, nor from listening to the radio (I've tried both of these). However, I have found it does come with a heart-felt longing to know the heart of God and working to listen to His voice and doing what He says.

1 Tim 6:11 says, "But as for you, O man [or woman] of God, flee from all these things; aim at and pursue righteousness (right standing with God and true goodness), godliness (which is the loving fear of God and being Christlike), faith, love, steadfastness (patience), and gentleness of heart." Amplified Bible [my emphasis]

Let me encourage each of us to daily 'aim at and pursue righteousness, being Christlike, filled with faith, love, patience and gentleness of heart'.

We need to work at growing and maturing, putting scripture into practice and looking at our daily situations as opportunities to become more like Jesus. EVERY DAY living holy, righteous lives and representing Jesus well in what we say and do. I don't know about you but I find that to be a challenge. However, whether it's a challenge or not we need to still work towards becoming more Christlike every day.

Living a holy, righteous life also means we learn how to seek forgiveness and make things right with those we've hurt. When we do miss the mark and say or do something which hurts someone else, it is our job to feel the weight and impact of our words and choices, and then work towards making things right with them.

Sometimes we hear the whisper of God's voice in our heart; sometimes a well read scripture comes to life; and sometimes the audible voice of an individual speaks God's truth to us. Let us be sure we are open and hearing God's truth when He speaks.

The journey to become a mature, godly woman is a daily commitment to intentionally becoming the woman God created each of us to be. It's seeking His face in the midst of the valleys, it's savouring the Word of God and putting scripture into practice. It's working towards hearing the heartbeat of Father God and living in the shadow of His wings.

Jo-Ann