‘He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Yeshua’ Colossians 1:28 (NIV)
Gulf War Commander Stormin’ Norman Schwartzkopf said, ‘Character is the fundamental attribute of all great leaders. Competence is important, certainly, but if I had to sacrifice one I would give up competence before character. Character is everything.’ Do you know that it is your character that measures your maturity in Yeshua, not your competence, gifting or ability? What you do on Shabbat or in serving your community, how well you preach, how many people you tell about Yeshua, doesn’t mean that you are developing and growing in character. Many leaders, believers or otherwise, fail in a public arena – not because they lack skill or ability, but because they lack character and integrity. It has been said that the true test of character is not how much you know ‘how to do’, but how you behave when you don’t know what to do. When tough times come in your ministry, work or personal life; when you feel the pressure of finances, when you are sexually tempted, what do you do? If you ignore these things and keep them hidden in the dark, you allow the devil a foothold in your life. However, if you bring them into the light; confess your sins to a trusted friend, seek prayer and healing, allow Yehovah to touch your heart and minister to you, then you grow in character and integrity, and protect yourself from falling. Business writer Steven Covey comments, ‘Over the past fifty years leadership development has mainly focused on the development of skills in management. In the future, leadership development will focus on developing people of character, depth and integrity.’ Where are you investing your development time?