Character Counts

“Let us become women who are found on our knees at the feet of Jesus in passionate pursuit of Him.”

As I’m sitting here, writing, processing, praying…I’m finding myself overwhelmed at the goodness of my God. Do you ever catch yourself being truly amazed at His greatness? Astounded by His glory? Awed by His presence? Moved by His Spirit? I would shout a resounding “Yes” to each question right now as I sit and reflect on how He is currently at work in my life. This week marks the beginning of the very first “Found On My Knees” women’s Bible study, an enormous leap of faith for me, taking me one step closer in obedience to my Lord as I seek to finish writing this book. God is good. He is faithful. He never disappoints and always sweeps me away! As I sat among the 14 women that God brought to this Bible study on Tuesday night, I could do nothing but praise Him and thank Him for the journey He is about to take us on together. We are in for one amazing ride!

Throughout this study as we unpack themes ranging from brokenness to blessing, we as a group will be seeking to become women who are found on our knees, women who are in passionate pursuit of Jesus Christ. Whether or not you are able to join us physically on Tuesday nights in Gilbert, Arizona, I personally invite you to join us on our journey here on Neue Thing. God is calling us to be women after His own heart, women who love and adore Him, women who seek to prioritize Jesus Christ in every area of our lives. Do you desire to know Him more? We’d be delighted if you come along with us, uniting near and far as sisters in Christ to seek the Lord with all our hearts!

More and more over these past few weeks, I’ve thought a lot about what it means for me to fit the above description. What does it look like for me to be this woman who passionately pursues Christ? As I’ve poured over Scripture these past few days, God has truly thrilled me with His Word. Each time, I walk away refreshed and satisfied. Today, I found myself in Galatians 5. Grab your Bibles (I hope you already have) and join me there. I want to take a look at one of many descriptions in God’s Word of Godly character. One thing that God is continuing to reveal to me in my own life is that desire alone is not obedience. Good intentions do not equal an obedient life in Christ. We can desire to love God passionately all day long, but without action, our desires are empty. This is where character comes into play. Character counts. Let’s take a look at Galatians 5:16-23. Go ahead and read these verses now….

We’re met with the command to walk by the Spirit so that we won’t live to gratify the sinful desires of our flesh. If the passage stopped right there, perhaps we’d be left with some room for justification of our behavior. We could say things like, “Well, I don’t know what it means to walk by the Spirit” or “What exactly is the flesh?” It doesn’t stop there, though. God has given us everything we need in His Word to live a life pleasing to Him. So, we read on. This passage goes on to describe what a life looks like that gives in to the desires of the flesh. It sounds a lot like our world today, doesn’t it? If we’re honest with ourselves, we should be able to say that the description sounds an awful lot like us too. But again, it doesn’t end there. God breathes hope into our souls with verses 22 and 23 – the fruit of the Spirit. To walk by the Spirit is to exhibit Godly character in these regards: having love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Is your life characterized by this list? Would a friend or family member or co-worker describe you as loving, patience, or kind? Do you demonstrate self-control in your life when it comes to temptation? Are you faithful? In your dealings with others, are you gentle? I am beyond convicted with my own questions to the point that it is difficult for me to write them. I struggle daily to represent Christ well and to display this Godly character. I fall short in being that woman who is found on her knees at the feet of Jesus in passionate pursuit of Him, but I refuse to let feelings of defeat, regret, and shame keep me from picking myself up off the floor and running after Him again today. Though I failed Him yesterday, today I will seek Him. Although I was not patient or self-controlled dealing with the frustrations of the day, I will still seek Him. The mark of great character is how you respond in times of failure. Will you let your shortcomings define you, thus defeating you, or will claim the promises of Jesus Christ and press on to know Him more and seek His forgiveness when you fall short? Character counts. Where will you be found? I pray it’s on your knees, a position of humility that defines desperation for Christ.

1. As you read through the list in verses 22 and 23, which fruit of the Spirit convicted you most? Which one do you feel God is calling you to develop in your life?
2. As we read through the list of the “works of the flesh”, did you feel the need to repent of any one of them? If so, journal a prayer of repentance to the Lord now. We can know that when we come to Him confessing our sins, He is faithful to cleanse us from all unrighteousness! (1 John 1:9)