One of the most challenging seasons in the development of a servant leader are the seasons of being ‘unknown’. Before the digital age, a clear crisp 35 mm picture was developed out of a “negative.” Character development takes place in the dark hidden places where God is taking you through the process of character development and refinement.
Only the Holy Spirit sees the “negatives” within our soul and we must be willing to search our hearts and allow Him to take us through the process of refinement. The Father is more concerned with your character than your charisma. Your charisma gift can place you before others and even seem to ‘promote’ you, but it’s only your character that will keep you there or not. Your charisma is a gift from God but your character is the result of being intimate with God.
True spiritual promotion comes from the Lord after character development is formed within you. No devil in hell or man on earth can remove you from a place of spiritual promotion that the Father grants a man or a woman after going through the process of refinement. It’s the lack of character that will discredit any minister; not the attacks of the enemy, or slander or lies or false witnesses. God vindicates the righteous, so if your character is intact God will defend you no matter what man may say.
Wait on the Lord and be of good courage. Allow Him to refine you in the secret place so He can use you powerfully in the public place sustaining you by His grace through every test, trial and success as well! He will strengthen your heart as you pray for more grace! The Apostle Paul experienced this himself as well. You are not alone!
“We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; KNOWN YET REGARDED AS UNKNOWN; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.” 2 Corinthians 6: 3-10
This article was written by Mary Ann Wray