The last few weeks, we have been considering virtue and vice in terms of 2 Pet. 1:3-8.  Our faith is a gift from God, but we don’t just stop there.  We are called to develop goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love for the rest of our life in order to be effective and productive followers of Jesus Christ.

Because Mario is a board member, I was able to attend the board retreat with him last week.  We delved into this topic and then Pastor Dave provided some teaching on gifts, virtues and vice.  Our gift occurs as we are in God’s image and when we are demonstrating this, others can see that segment of God’s character in us.  Unfortunately, each gift has a tendency towards a specific vice but through God’s grace we are able to be transformed towards our giftedness and away from our vice by a specific virtue.   

Do you lead with your heart, your head or your gut instinct?  This is the question that leads each of us into more awareness of the gift we display at our best and the vice we are most easily drawn into at our most wounded.  Who doesn’t want to know their giftedness and their Achilles heel as we each try to serve God fully?

For some people, the heart, head or gut question takes much deliberation and sorting out.  Not for me.  It is heart all of the way.  My heart is on my sleeve, I lead with my heart and loving is my favorite thing to do; a privilege that God grants me. 

On my best days, loving people is an unselfish, generous expression of who God has made me to be.  When you look at me on my best days, God’s loving nature can be seen in who I am: a caring nurturer.  This is who I most want to be. This is who God created me to be!

Unfortunately, on my worst days that is not what you will see.  Pride in my ability to love; self-pity over not being loved well;  insecure behavior as I try to feel appreciated, these become the characteristics of a wounded me.  These vices exasperate me and like Paul I cry , “…For the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing…” (Romans 7:15-20). Thank God I end up here less often.  Walking with Christ my Saviour and being transformed by his love is making a difference; although some days…

Is it hard?  For sure.  Lately, as God is calling me in a different direction I am being challenged at every level because my fear of not being accepted  for not meeting others’ needs is actually being lived out every single day.  Some people aren’t accepting me; some people are angry with me; and some people are even unkind.  How is my hurt heart responding?  Well, Pastor Dave reminded us that 2 Peter 1:5 tells us to supplement our faith with virtue. So the challenge lies in seeking God; in choosing humility over pride; in not becoming bitter or hard;  in recognizing that He alone is my source of love, happiness and approval.  God promises that the byproduct is not only being thankful but actually joyful and grateful for the people who do love me even for who God created me to be.

How do I meet the challenge?  Humility is the virtue to start with and it brings me to a place where I begin to know that God is loving others through me:  the broken “earthen vessel” me.  Not through my strength or my actions.  It is only through the Holy Spirit’s transformation and sanctification that this happens. 

In the meantime, leading with the heart that God has gifted me with, I remember to “regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment.  Never be without it.” (Col. 3:12-14, MSG).

Stephanie Borsato