Fake IT or Take IT

Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things — and the things that are not — to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God — that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 NIV

My family and I are nearing our first year anniversary at the place of ministry in which God has placed us for this time. Today, in a informal meeting, we were reminiscing about the past year and it's experiences. During the course of the conversation one of my most apparent weaknesses was mentioned. I call it a weakness, most would consider it a personality trait. Believe me, from the vantage point of the bearer of the trait, it can seem like a weakness.

I have blogged about this before and I am sure that I will again. Call it charisma, dynamic personality, excitability or whatever else it is called, whatever it is, I do not have it. Never did, never will!

Why?

It is simple, really. Personality is largely hard-wired from infancy - from a time during which we had little to no control of our environment. Our temperament, personality, mannerisms and, especially, the way we portray ourselves around people cannot readily be changed at the core of our being. We can adapt our actions in an attempt to fit into specific roles or situations, but over the long term such adaptation will become exhausting.

If I'm not dynamic, what am I? I am real! When I counsel an individual, lead a Bible study, teach a class, preach the Word and minister in any capacity, those watching and listening are seeing a minuscule amount of my ability and a truckload of God's power! I never want to portray anything fake or anything that misrepresents who I am. If I ever did I would be robbing God of his glory!

It's by God's power that I can even speak to one person. There was a day when speaking to even the smallest groups would have me swallowing a half bottle of antacids beforehand. God has brought me a long, long way. I receive the criticism about my lack of the dynamic as a testimony to God's grace and faithfulness. You see, in order to be criticized for something, one has to be, at least, trying to do that something. I remember when I would not have even tried.

The next time you are criticized, instead of trying to adapt and fake it, why not let God take it and just watch what he alone can do!