Character Comes First

Here's something I thought of today...

I feel like sometimes when I've asked God for healing or for wisdom or for provision, it doesn't happen right away. There always seems to be a waiting period attached to God answering these requests.

And then there are the times where I (foolishly) ask God to help me be more patient with people or to help me control my words. And then literally the very next morning I wake up to such a stressful and chaotic day in which every time I turn around, I've got the wonderful opportunity to exercise patience with someone or to hold my tongue when I'd rather rip a strip off of somebody.

Isn't it funny how that works? Maybe it's never happened to you like that before but this seems to be the case for me.

I started wondering if the speed with which God seems to respond to my requests might reveal something about the importance of the things I'm asking for. Think about it like this - I am a financially responsible person. I work, I earn, I save, I tithe. I don't spend money on things I don't need. I don't have a shopping addiction, I don't eat out with friends all the time, I don't see the newest movies (unless it's a Tuesday, hah!)... I am good with my money. But sometimes things come up and I need more than what I have. In these moments I've sought God and truth be told I have always ended up having exactly what I've needed. God really has been faithful.

But what good is money? You have it, something requires it of you, and you have it no more.

But what about character?

1 Corinthians 13 is known as the love chapter. While its verses describe what love is, it's also a great list of traits to aspire to having in your character tool belt. I want to be patient. I want to be kind, to consider the feelings of others. I don't want to be envious of someone else's life. There are so many things in that list that I aspire to be. Those are a part of my character and I believe those are the kinds of things that God has called us to be.

In John 13:35 Jesus told the disciples that people would know they were followers of Christ by the love that they had for others. Not by the car they drove, or by the degree they had, or by the iphone they tweeted from.

So why does God present me with situations where I want to pull my hair out if I have to repeat something to someone one more time... why does He allow people into my life that speak hurtful words to me... why do I constantly find myself in moments that require me to say something good or nothing at all...

Because God is building my character. He's shaping me on the inside.

Does He care that I'm saving money to go back to college? Yes. Does He care that I've got a dental bill to pay cause I don't have flippin' dental insurance... yes. But I'm starting to realize those just aren't as important. Because once I go back to school, that's it. Once I pay that bill, that's it. But my character, my attitude, my heart for others... that remains.

I don't know if any of this makes sense to you or seems applicable to your life. All I know is that this year I am taking the time to become the kind of person God wants me to be. Notice how I said I'm taking the time. As in, it's a choice. You have to be purposeful about it. You have to look at every situation, good or bad, and ask, "What is God trying to show me?" That's what I do. You'd be amazed with how quickly God will start speaking to you.

Seriously, try it!