Authentic Character- It’s a Journey

There is a story about a young man named Joseph in the bible. Do you know how long it took him to receive the promises God had for his life? 14 years.

What vision or promises are you still holding onto? And boy… do I mean holding on to, even if it’s only by a thread.

Many of us have fabulous dreams and ideas of what our life is “supposed” to look like. We are usually content, until we realize that year after year keeps rolling by and we aren’t quite where we had expected to be. When this happens, we are usually met with shame, anger and just plain doubt about the future. At that point I would have to say to you: “Don’t give up!”

One of my favorite scriptures of the Bible is Jeremiah 29:11, which states that God has a special purpose and plan for your life no matter what it looks like.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to fail you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

The Bible also talks about how God formed and fashioned you in your mother’s womb. There is another scripture that says he foreknew you. Why would God go through so much trouble to know you before you were even born, and not have a specific purpose and plan for you in mind?

It is so easy to look at other people we admire at the pinnacle of their success and compare ourselves to them. If you asked them if they got to where they are in a day, they would tell you- absolutely not. Then why is there still so much discontent and pressure for us to look, or be, like someone else? When you look into these success stories, you find that it took many people years before they gained true success. What was taking place during the wait?

I would have to say that Authentic Character can truly be developed when you change your perspective regarding the journey to success. Jesus himself was 32 years old before he performed his first miracle. His character definitely preceded him, and until this day is still without reproach. Jesus was born of flesh and was tempted on all levels: mentally, physically,and spiritually. If it took Jesus 32 years, and Joseph 14, to build their character to be able to withstand the promise, what do you think about you and I?

“Authentic Character can truly be developed when you change your perspective regarding the journey to success.”

Dreams and visions aren’t built in a day. Embrace the journey God has for you. Receive the lessons life has to offer and keep walking forward. You will begin to see how far you’ve come and how close you are to obtaining all the promises that God has for your life. I’m not quite where I want to be, but I seek to remain humble and grow in wisdom, love, patience, compassion and virtue- just to name a few Authentic Characteristics. We may need to develop our character in order to obtain and maintain the vision that lay ahead. In addition, we must be bold, courageous and unwavering about who God has designed us to be. Ask yourself the following: am I authentically growing in character each day? Get excited and tell yourself, “I’m on my way!”

“Be bold, courageous and unwavering about who God has designed you to be!”