Correction

I have never been a fan of rules. I was definitely a child who challenged authority and tested limitations. On the flipside, I despise consequences. I learned at a very early age how to glean wisdom. I learned that I could learn from the mistakes of others. I did not have to repeat the sins of my father or mother. I prayed for wisdom. I prayed that generational curses ended with me. I prayed that I learned the lesson the first time. I've made a lot of mistakes, but for the most part, I haven't made the same mistake twice. Correction is not something we should run from. Correction is wisdom, sometimes wrapped in hard lessons. Correction is God allowing us to change directions. Correction is God saying, "there's a better way." 

Character

Character is what you do when no one is watching. Character is what you do when only God is watching. For most of us, our character is revealed under pressure. How do we respond in times if intense pressure? What bubbles to the surface? Do the people around us see the best in us or the worst in us? Our character is directly linked to our moral compass. Do we have an understanding of what’s right and what’s wrong? Do we live our lives in the gray area? What do we really believe in?

2/12

Moses sent out twelve scouts into the Promised Land. Of the twelve, only two came back with a good report. How is it that all twelve went to the same place and saw the same things, but only two saw things differently? Perspective. How are you viewing your current situation? Are you focusing on the obstacles? Are you seeing your current challenges as momentary setbacks? Do you see the glass half full? A positive outlook on a negative situation can change your life. How are your current struggles preparing you? Are they building character or perseverance? Maybe, God is building your faith. No matter what you are currently experiencing, try to have 2/12 vision. See things from God’s point of view.

Heed

As a child, I loved reading Aesop's Fables. I loved storytelling with lessons embedded within them. I always wanted to know, "what's the lesson?" Even in life, I find myself asking, "what's the lesson?" I've always believed that you were bound to repeat something if you didn't learn the lesson. For a season in my life, I dated the same person over and over again. They were different people, but the results were the same. They all had the same character flaw. I had to learn to pay attention. I had to take heed. I had to learn not to ignore the red flags. Is there something you need to take heed of? Is there someone you need to take heed to? Pay attention. Slow down. Don't ignore the signs. Take heed. Proceed with caution.

Discern

It can be hard to read people. Especially, when people present their representative instead of their true selves. Trust your gut. Trust that feeling. Trust your first impression. Discernment doesn't rely on tangible evidence. It's a feeling. It's an unction. It's a personal truth. Some might call it a vibe. Feel their energy. Character is a consistent truth. Pay attention to subtle signals. See the whole picture, not just what is trying to be shown.

 

"The first point of wisdom is to discern that which is false; the second, to know that which is true."-Lactantius

Charity

1 Corinthians 13: 13

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

First Corinthians 13 is a very popular book of the Bible that references love. Verses 4-8 specifically references the characteristics of love. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth. Does our love have the same characteristics? Do we have the same expectation of love? Is it long-suffering or short-tempered? Is our love jealous? Does our love have an ego? If love never fails, why are divorce rates climbing? Maybe what we call love is not love at all. Maybe what define as love doesn't meet God's standards.  Maybe it's time to re-evaluate our charity.