God's Calling is Our Responsibility
It seems like most people are looking for an expert in some area of their life. Someone who has succeeded at something and writes a book, has a podcast, speaks at conferences, and creates a following. Every week I am inundated with articles, and emails from an "expert" with a new "proven technique." If the Apostle Paul was around today, he would be the most sought-after church growth expert in the world, at least initially. I believe he would say, it's not about copying what someone else is doing, it's about the godly character qualities you possess. It's about God working in and through you to accomplish something beyond yourself for His glory. In his farewell message to the Ephesian leaders, Paul outlined five-character qualities that defined who he was as a leader for Christ. These are qualities that all of us should work to imitate:
Integrity - Paul lived his life devoted to Christ. He was the same man when people were watching and when they weren't. He lived his life openly before others.
Humility - In a nutshell, biblical humility is a conscious awareness of your utter dependence on Jesus Christ. Paul wasn’t about making a name for himself; he wanted the attention to be on Jesus.
Compassion - Paul’s tears showed how much he cared about these people, and the feelings were mutual. As the old saying goes, “People don’t care how much you know unless they know how much you care.”
Perseverance - Paul endured rejection, threats, and opposition, yet he stayed the course.
Courage - Paul didn't shrink from declaring the whole truth no matter how controversial or difficult.
Paul says my single focus has been and is to do what God has told me to do. And at the end of the day, that’s what every one of us is responsible to do as well. Success in life is identifying what God has called you to do and being completely faithful to it. The big question is, what has God called YOU to do?
Press On,
Pastor Brian Richard
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