We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. Romans 5:3–4 (NLT)
If you were to hand-pick a team of leaders to take your salvation message to the world, would you enlist a bunch of teenagers, fishermen and tax collectors? No, you’d probably look for people who were trained in areas such as theology and leadership. But when Jesus picked His leaders, He picked the most unlikely bunch. Why? Because He doesn’t look at people the way we do. We look at people’s gifts and abilities, but He looks at our hearts.
The truth is that God isn’t in awe of your gifts and talents. After all, He gave them to you! Wouldn’t it be funny if I gave my watch to someone, and later they flaunted it in front of me to try to impress me? “Check out my cool watch,” they might say, but I’d be thinking, I know all about that watch already! I gave it to you!
God placed gifts in everyone, but what He’s really looking for is heart. He’s looking for character.
Now, don’t get me wrong. We need to build on the gifts we’ve been given. But great skill without the character to back it up is nothing.
Romans 5 says that character develops through problems and trials. It doesn’t say that God brings these troubles our way, but when trouble hits and you choose to do the right thing (despite being tempted to do what’s easy or has more immediate gratification) you develop character.
So, what will you choose today? You can choose to do what’s right and grow your heart.