In the past week I’ve been reading through the first half of the book of Daniel. One of the biggest things that has stood out to me has been that Daniel had cultivated character. He didn’t wake up his first day in Babylon as an exile with all the wisdom that later on saved his life and others. Rather, he was brought to Babylon BECAUSE of his already distinguished wisdom—it was cultivated long before the instrumental challenges in Babylon. Additionally, Daniel had friend to lean on, who were like him in wisdom and faith—they too demonstrated their character in the face of the fiery furnace. While reading, I was stuck in a new way with the importance of character for the future starting today. Those future desires to be a godly wife and mother of character won’t appear on my wedding day or when my first child is born—they start now. Habits become character, and shouldn’t be taken lightly.
The struggles I face today—internally with temptation and interpersonally, are purposeful opportunities to hone my character as the Holy Spirit works in me. In addition, over the last few days I’ve listened to some sermon excerpts by Francis Chan (who I met on an airplane last year, haha) and have been convicted and called out—to realize this temporal life has external ramifications. Oddly, I'm encouraged that God’s not as concerned about the attainment of my goals for the future as he is with how I obey in the next ten minutes—which will undoubtedly impact my future.
My prayer is that I don’t forget the importance of cultivating character through sanctification. It is Christ who works in me. Just like the tree doesn’t’ will and force itself to bear fruit, I cannot make myself bear spiritual fruit—in dying to myself, I allow HIS life to root me, water me, cause my character to grow for this day and the future.
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