Dangerous!

I have a quote from my long-time spiritual mentor, Dr. Henry Blackaby, that I have kept close by. For years it was attached to my computer monitor. It is the type of reminder I need for God’s expectation for my life and for my service to Him.

[blockquote author=”” link=”” target=”_blank”]There is nothing more dangerous than a small character in God’s big assignment.[/blockquote]

We often talk about character and integrity in an interchangeable way. To me, character is what others see. Integrity is the inner quality that drives character. It is who we are on the inside…in private…that shows itself in our character.

In my well-worn copy of Blackaby’s Experiencing God Day-by-Day, he draws from the life of Abraham, and says this:

“Big assignments require big characters. God will give you a responsibility in proportion to the size of your character. God sees your life from His eternal perspective. He will take whatever time is necessary to grow your character to match His assignment for you.”

Are you impatient to begin your work before God has refined your character? A small character will fail in a large responsibility every time. Don’t be too hasty to get to the work. Character-building can be long and painful.

I’ll be honest with you…I’d rather not hear that. I don’t want “long and painful” for my life. I want microwave-instant character. But as Dr. Blackaby says, “God sees your life from His eternal perspective. He will take whatever time is necessary to grow your character to match His assignment for you.”

Are you willing to submit to God, to shape you into the big character He needs for His big assignment? Am I? If you are looking for the right answer to that question, the answer should be…

YES!