“Gifting gets you in the room but character keeps you in the room”.
A wise mentor said that yesterday in a training context. It reverberates in my soul. I’ve seen it and have had to deal with the negative side. People have gifts, natural gifts and spiritual gifts. But sometimes the gift isn’t enough. They struggle with character issues, as we all do, and the struggle can be a time of growth into a better leader, servant, or person. Or it can lead to a crash.
I’ve had to ‘fire’ leaders whose character did not work with the ministry they were doing. It sucks. I hate to do it. But if you don’t then you’ve failed in your leadership.
You’ve probably had to deal with it too. A leader, a gifted leader who is led astray from a lack in their character. They can’t effectively do what they are supposed to do. Sometimes it gets caught in time to prevent total disaster and other times it crashes. And the crash has ripples that destroy all around. That leaves us sad, angry, disappointed, devastated.
Also, it gives us pause as we hope and pray not to fall into a similar trap. I see it in me as a possibility. Sin and weakness are common to us all. I stand by a trap of my own making in my failings. So I pray. I pray for strength and God’s help to improve. If we don’t pray, if we don’t see our own weakness then we are in increasing danger of the weaknesses swallowing us up and taking away the good we have done or could do. And seeing that happen to others horrifies us, or at least it should.
I need to rely on God completely. In John 15, Jesus says “apart from me you can do nothing”. I believe that.
Years ago, I was asked what I thought was the most important trait for a youth leader. My response then and still is “helplessness”. And it’s not just about youth ministry it’s about all ministry, work, and life!
Not a debilitating helplessness, not despair. But a helplessness that says I need Jesus’ help in all I do. Apart from Him I can do nothing. Also, in John 15, Jesus says if we remain in Him we will bear much fruit. I want to bear fruit. I want to grow and see disciples of Jesus growing. I am called to make disciples who make disciples. That’s the fruit.
But i can’t do it alone and I can’t do it if my character undermines what I do. So, I pray and I strive and ask the Holy Spirit’s help in growing in character. I ask God, as my mentor prompted yesterday, to show me where I need to grow in my character.
I am called to disciplemaking, I am gifted in particular ways to do it.
Growing in Godly character means I get to stay “in the room” to fulfill my calling.
