The thing about writing about personality is that it is, well, personal. That poses several challenges, one of which needs to be sorted out at the start. It has to do with ways personal writing can be misinterpreted.
For example, if I seem to brag, I most definitely do not. I am, as are we all, a sinful wretch at my core. My good is in Christ alone: “far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 6:14). In other words, if I have happened to get anything right, it is because I have managed – by His grace – to hearken to the Holy Spirit, obey Him, and use my God-given gifts and talents as He directs.
On the flip side of that, there is no self-condemnation in my writing. In fact, “there is therefore now no condemnation
Now that we have that straight, let’s talk about my personality.
Until recently, it would have seemed to me intuitive that God would give me a personality that would aid in my ministry. That it would, if not define, at least dovetail nicely with my spiritual gifting.
Wrong.
At least not every part of my personality.
There’s this part of my personality that (incorrectly) tells me that “if it’s to be, it’s up to me.” Or, perhaps more accurately, “if I want something done RIGHT, I’m gonna have to do it myself.” Silly me.
My primary spiritual gift is mercy. I intercede in prayer for people in need. I travail for those in crisis. I walk alongside those who suffer.
So, you see the problem. If I am the only one who can “get it right,” and my God-given ministry is to provide mercy for suffering people…I’m going to need a few (billion) more hours in the day, not to mention arms, legs, casserole dishes and emotional reserves. And some extra gas money.
God is in the process of teaching me what to do with this. He is sanctifying me. He is showing me how to let others use their gifts of mercy too, and that (gasp!) they might be better equipped than I in any given situation. Hard to take. Really. But also, in so many ways, a relief.
Here’s the key: listen to Him. Abide in Him – and let Him abide in you. (John 15:4). He will sort out the pieces of the puzzle that is your personality.
“Give me all of you!!! I don’t want so much of your time, so much of your talents and money, and so much of your work. I want YOU!!! ALL OF YOU!! I have not come to torment or frustrate the natural man or woman, but to KILL IT! No half measures will do. I don’t want to only prune a branch here and a branch there; rather I want the whole tree out! Hand it over to me, the whole outfit, all of your desires, all of your wants and wishes and dreams. Turn them ALL over to me, give yourself to me and I will make of you a new self—in my image. Give me yourself and in exchange I will give you Myself. My will, shall become your will. My heart, shall become your heart.” – C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity