Who are you becoming?
This past Sunday we challenged you to prioritize “who you are” over “what you do” or “who you know” by setting aside your “to do” list for a season and to begin making a “to be” list. We want to know what some of you are putting on your personal identity list. We were thinking it might help us all to share with the whole community the Christ-like characteristics we have come up with. The goal is not to have an exhaustive list, but to focus on the things that God is revealing to you about the character of His Son. As promised I have included my list below along with a reminder of the 4 questions that will help you get started if you haven’t yet begun.
A suggested method for prioritizing your personal character:
1. Make a list of values – ones that describe who you want to become.
2. Attach verses from the Bible – that support these Christ-like characteristics.
3. Take personal inventory – to figure out how well you are doing and where you need to focus.
4. Use your list to measure success – falling short should feel like failure, but use it as motivation.
My list:
1. Generous – Proverbs 11:25
2. Honest – John 3:19-21
3. Dependable – Matthew 5:37
4. Compassionate – Colossians 3:12
5. Grateful – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
6. Self-sacrificing – Philippians 2:1-8
Agent Joel Thomas
Director of Singles and College
do stuff
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Personal Developmentposted
jun 2, 2008by Agent
June 2, 2008 at 1:55 pm
If certain virtues come more naturally than others, do you suggest leaving them off the list in favor of the virtues that I’m not sure I even want?
For example, God has already given me great victories in the honesty and generousity department. Should I leave those off the list and focus on the areas that I’ve resisted Him, like Courage and Humility?
Also, if God were to make me a humble and couragous person, should I then drop those off the list to make room for more pressing defects of character?
June 2, 2008 at 3:45 pm
I don’t have my list all the way down yet, but so far I have:
Give/love sacrificially
Be disciplined in disciplines (prayer, bible study, meditation, etc.)
Grateful
Live simple
Be connected to community
This question definitely made me think. Great job, Joel!
June 2, 2008 at 6:00 pm
I don’t think you should put anything on your list that you don’t desperately want. If you do not desire it, then what is going to motivate you to seek God’s direction and influence in that arena of your life? I have recently realized that almost everything in life that irritates me or gets me on the wrong focus (myself) could be solved with one simple (ha) thing – a “servant’s heart.” I think that is my list – and I am going to pray and ask God to give it to me on a daily basis- because I don’t think I am wired for it to come naturally. I believe that is how I will know it was a gift from God – when it feels natural… and at that point, I can put something else on my list!
June 2, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Adam – There’s not really a right or wrong way, but that’s the way I do it. My list continues to change overtime…not a total overhaul because some of mine will be a lifelong battle. I think you’re on the right track and over time you’ll find that the areas you grow in will become less of a priority and will hopefully be replaced by areas of struggle. I’m about 5 or 6 years into this and feel like 3 or 4 of the ones on my list will be there for life. Way to go!
Brian – I love the “Live Simple” and “Stay Connected” …that stuff takes discipline. Go for it!
June 3, 2008 at 10:52 am
Ella – I LOVE it! What are some verses from scripture (there are many) that you could attach to that value? You might want to even think about memorizing them since you have decided to give this value such laser focus for a season???
June 3, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Joel, here are mine. Thanks for challenging us to do this!
Jeff
1. Humility. Isaiah 57:15.
2. Love. 1 Corinthians 13:13.
3. Excellence. Colossians 3:17.
4. Gratitude. Colossians 3:16.
5. Prioritized for Eternity. 2 Corinthians 5:10.
June 3, 2008 at 6:47 pm
I like ‘em Jeff!!
June 3, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Joel, I’m really thankful for this challenge because it has given me a chance to stop, think, and evaluate who I am and where I want to be. THANK YOU! I must be honest it did not take me long to make a lengthy list, however, I narrowed it down to the characteristics I REALLY want to focus on:
1_ To be less judgmental. 1 Samuel 16:7
2_ To be more patient. 2 Thessalonians 2:5-7
3_ To be more humble. Phillipians 2:3-5
4_ To be have more faith. 2 Timothy 7, 12
5_ To think before I speak! Colossians 4:6
June 4, 2008 at 4:34 am
Thanks for the challenge Joel. My list is constantly evolving, but here are some of the ones that consistantly surface near the top:
1. Walk in Humility. Phil. 2:4
2. Live by the Spirit. Gal. 5:16
3. Prioritize Family. 1 Tim. 5:8
4. Worship Lifestyle. Ps 40:3
5. Patience. Gal 5:22
June 4, 2008 at 5:37 am
Brooke – Wow!! What a great list! I love some if the passages you have chosen and I may need to steal your #5…I need to grow in that area as well. Thanks for sharing!
June 4, 2008 at 6:16 am
To be:
Satisfied with God. Psalm 34:8
Willing to be refined. Zechariah 13:9
Filled to overflowing with His Holy Spirit. Colossians 1:27-29
Poured out for His Glory. Philippians 3:7-11
June 4, 2008 at 6:17 am
Wow! I am so sorry I missed church on Sunday, but look forward to the podcast online. From the posts, it looks like this is something we, as a family, created a couple of years ago. It is definitely time for a “refresher” to see how we’ve been doing. ;)
So, here is our list of family “Values” (don’t know how they would change for each of us personally – Another thing to ponder!). It will be interesting to go back through these as a family to see how we have been doing, since we created and posted them in our home.
Put God First – Matthew 22:37-38
Love Others – John 15:12
Be Disciplined – Phil 4:8-9
Work Hard and Have Fun -Col 3:22-24
Forgive Generously – Colossians 3:13
Be Dependable – Matthew 5:37
Pray – 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Be Appreciative – 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Take Care of Your Body and Mind – 1 Cor 6:19
Be Trustworthy and Honest – Proverbs 24:26
Those are the highlights! Thanks for reminding us to revisit our list and thank your for keeping the important stuff always in front us!
Kathy
June 4, 2008 at 6:47 am
Joel – thank you for Sunday’s lesson. This has been “sitting on” on my heart for awhile and finally was moved to action. My list is below with corresponding passages.
Live Skillfully – Proverbs 22:29
Virtue – John 3:19;Proverbs 22:1;Matthew 5:37
Grateful – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Generous – Psalm 37:21;Ecclesiaste 11:1;Proverbs 11:25;Thessalonians 5:11
Compassionate – Colossians 3:12
Self – Sacrificing – Philippians 2:1-8
June 4, 2008 at 9:50 am
Well I took an extra day with mine – but alas I’m ready to share. Joel, one point you made was that so many singles have a list of things we are looking for in a mate. We expect this quality, that quality and another quality – but are we the kind of person that will attract a person with those qualities? Last year I spent some time making choices that would NOT attract a person with those qualities…nor was it attracting the quality of life that I wanted. These weren’t horrible decisions that would throw my life off course for forever – but ungodly decisions non the less. It’s the realization that I’m not who I want to be nor a reflection of who I want to be back in February that made me wake up and say NO to the stupidity and YES to Jesus and the will he has for my life!
With all that said ….I start with Psalms 28: 6 – 7
6 Praise the Lord,
because he heard my prayer for help.
7 The Lord is my strength and shield.
I trust him, and he helps me.
I am very happy,
and I praise him with my song.
1. Servant – 2 Timothy 4:5 “But you should control yourself at all times, accept troubles, do the work of telling the Good News, and complete all the duties of a servant of God.”
2. No Fear for Tomorrow – Isaiah 12:2 “God is the one who saves me; I will trust him and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord gives me strength and makes me sing. He has saved me.”
3. Good Steward – 1 Corinthians 4:2 “Now in this way those who are trusted with something valuable must show they are worthy of that trust.”
4. Willingness to Go – Isaiah 6:8 “Then I heard the Lord’s voice, saying, “Whom can I send? Who will go for us?” So I said, “Here I am. Send me!”
5. Love with a pure heart – 1 Timothy 1:5 “The purpose of this command is for people to have love, a love that comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a true faith.”
June 4, 2008 at 10:06 am
Joel – Here are mine …
To be wise – Proverbs 2:6
To see life and circumstance as Jesus sees it – John 6:26-27
To be always generous to others – Proverbs 3:27-28
To be dependent on God, not man, not government, … – Prov 3:5-6
June 4, 2008 at 2:06 pm
These are all great responses and great reminders for all of us about the true character of Christ. If you have friends who you know are considering joining in or are potentially intimidated by the process, let them know there is a TON of great stuff here to get them started!
June 4, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Wow, I am so grateful for all of your replies. LeAnn, I love your #2: No Fear for Tomorrow and the verse to match! I have a tendency to worry, and I am constantly reminding myself to “trust in God” and Isaiah 12:2 will surely help.
June 5, 2008 at 7:11 am
WOW! These are all really great. I am stealing Zechariah 13:9.
This has been a good series thus far. I haven’t had time to really think about my list, but here are a couple that came to mind immediately:
*having a good character – Proverbs 22:1
*self control – Proverbs 25:28
*listen to the Lord – Isaiah 30:21
June 5, 2008 at 7:26 am
Hello Joel, here’s my list. It may take me a lifetime to develop these character traits, but I’m committed to being more like Christ.
Love – Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
I Corinthians 13:4-7
Encouraging – Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. I Thessalonians 5:11
Content – I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. Phillippians 4:11
Cheerful – A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. Proverbs 15:30
Disciplined – But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
June 5, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Awesome. We just finished a series called “Becoming” at http://www.exchangemcc.org
Great to see God doing the same thing in different contexts.