For God’s match for you, focus on things that will prepare you to be the man or woman of God that He has asked us to be throughout the Word. We want to bring the best we have into any relationship we pursue. First, with the Lord. If our relationship with Him comes first, then all other love relationships with others will be whole, healthy and full of joy and happiness.
CHARACTER
What do we know about character? Well, we know it’s usually the first thing people judge us off of. When you apply for a job, they ask for job references for the purpose of finding out your work experience and what kind of a person are you? What are you known for? How do you get along with others? Has there been any situation or conflict that they should be aware of? What they are looking for is what kind of character do you display on a daily basis? If there is an account of poor character reported, more often than not, people will pass on your resume, because it’s that important!
If it is that important to the work place and everyday society, then we know it’s even more important to the Lord. Why? If we are claiming to be Christ followers then we are also claiming that we carry His attributes and character. How are we representing the Lord in our daily lives? How are we representing the Lord in our relationships? How will we represent the Lord in our marriages?
Since it’s that important to the Lord that we develop our character, He decided to have it written throughout the Scriptures.
In Exodus 34:6-7 (NIV) it says, “And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, ‘The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.’”
I love what Bill Perkins says about these verses. “When Moses asked God to reveal His glory to him, the Lord said He would pass by in front of him and proclaim His name to Moses (33:18-19). In this moment God had to shield Moses from the fullness of His glory by covering him in the crack of a rock, and as He passed by in front of Moses, God accompanied this amazing display by proclaiming the perfection of His own character.
When God revealed Himself as the compassionate and gracious God who is slow to anger, who abounds in love and faithfulness, who maintains love to thousands and who forgives wickedness, rebellion and sin, He made it clear that His personal character is the absolute standard by which all of these qualities are defined. God is accountable to no one, and there is no higher standard to which He must conform. His own uncompromising character is the unchanging standard that gives ultimate meaning to love, graciousness, faithfulness and forbearance.”
What kind of character do you display today? While You Wait for God’s match for you, I want to encourage you to examine your life your heart; and then ask the Lord, does my character reflect your character? No more hiding behind closed doors! Because whatever inward reflection of character you display now, will most definitely be brought into any relationship you enter into.
So, make the adjustments. Be honest with yourself. Because I know that Christ wants nothing more than to be the integral part of your relationships and marriage. Christ deserves our best. Let’s represent Him well. Your relationship, spouse or future spouse deserves your best. May your character reflect Christ’s character!
Check out the next entry in the “While You Wait” series by clicking the link below: