The Greatest Call

Jan 17

If you were to list the five most important virtues in the world – what would they be?

What are the five nearly heroic characteristics that set a man or a woman apart from the crowd?

Is it education? Wealth? Good looks? Talent? Athleticism?

I don’t think that any of those things would make my top 5 list … and yet it seems that in our world today … those are the very things that captivate people’s attention.

When you read People Magazine… or watch the network news… or scroll through Google News… rarely do you see a story about a woman who is simply a good mother … or a pastor who is kind to the elderly … or a 16-year-old who told the truth.

Isn’t that interesting and sad at the same time?

Generally – the stories that generate the most headline coverage are those that are tout the adventures of the rich and famous … or the words of questionable politicians … or of athletes and their achievements … or of convicts and their crimes.

However, in my humble opinion, those particular categories of people are actually not the movers and shakers of my generation. In eternity’s headlines, which are the only headlines that actually matter let me say, those are not the unforgettable people in any moment in history.

As the New Year has dawned, I have been giving much thought to the woman that I deeply desire to become.

And, as such thoughts and dreams flood my mind and heart, I realize that more than writing a best-selling book or speaking to thousands – I just want to be a woman that eternity remembers.

Don’t get me wrong – I would still love to write a book that will impact hundreds of thousands of lives! I deeply desire to teach the Word of God every day of my life until every person knows about Jesus!

The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” – Isaiah 11:9

I live to make hell smaller and heaven bigger!

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:19-20

I know that I know that I know that I have been appointed by the Holy Spirit to set the captive free from depression, discouragement and disappointment.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

Because He anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives,

And recovery of sight to the blind,

To set free those who are oppressed.” – Luke 4:18

But I also know, deep within my heart that the greatest call of my life is to be not to do.

I am called to be like Jesus in every season and in every situation.

I am called to cultivate the fruits of the Holy Spirit in my life even when I am in a wilderness.

I must allow the character of God the Father to be the guiding force in every thing that I attempt to accomplish in life.

So – back to my original question …

What are the 5 most important virtues that a person can possess in life?

What are the 5 powerful characteristics that have the eternal ability to set a man or a woman apart from the crowd?

I do have 5 virtues that I have been pondering and I am going to tell you what they are.

First of all, though, let me tell you how this has shaken out for me. I am going to submit four of the five to you in no particular order. In my book, there are all of equal importance.

But that last one? The fifth one? That is the one that is dynamically more important than the rest … the fifth one is the one that can turn a common person into an unforgettable champion of greatness. So, I will indeed save the best for last!

Here, however – are the other top 4:

Daily Kindness.

“In a world where you can be anything – just be kind.”

Truthful Integrity.

“Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.” – Proverbs 28:6

Unending Faithfulness

“She gave her all and did her best, not to impress others or to meet someone’s definition of success, but because she knew God was watching her, and He would honor her faithfulness.” – Morgan Harper Nichols

Swift Forgiveness

“Forgiveness doesn’t change the past but it changes the future.”

Perhaps you have guessed the most important one by now … maybe you realize what I have left out of this list of distinguished list of human greatness.

It’s love.

L-O-V-E.

Love will always change your motive from selfish to selfless.

Love will always cause you to act like the Father because He is love. He knows of no other way to be… or to act … or to talk.

Love is the family business.

Love the life you have been given and the people who cross your path daily.

Love people who are cruel to you and those who disagree with you.

Love children and the elderly.

Love Republicans and Democrats.

Love the people you like and the people you don’t like.

Love your friends and your enemies.

Love your family and the people you work with.

Love when you feel like it and when you don’t feel like it.

It will be people with the greatest demonstration of love who change the world not those with the most impressive education … with the biggest bank accounts … or with the most awards.

Bob Goff says it this way … “Love everybody all the time.”

I agree with Bob Goff. It’s my goal for 2019 … Love everybody all the time.

The Bible says it like this … “But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.” – I Corinthians 13:13

Thanks for listening to my heart this week. As you know by now, my heart is truly not a perfect heart but it is a heart that is filled to overflowing with gratitude for the life I have been given and for the people who walk with me. And, it continues to be a heart that is relentlessly chasing after God and all that He is!

Carol McLeod

Carol says, “I am just a girl who is head over heels in love with Jesus ... passionately addicted to His Word ... and find all of the joy that I need in time spent in His presence." Carol is a Christmas-aholic, loves ACC basketball and the beach! Like all menopausal women, she is overly fond of chocolate and enjoys a good read. She doesn't like cleaning her house and is an expert in carry-out dinners. She hates to shop … loves to jog … and somehow finds time in her busy life to hang out with small children. She is the kind of woman that you could laugh with over lunch, cry with over disappointment and shout with over a victory! But … if you need her official bio … read on! Carol is an author and popular speaker at women's conferences and retreats, where she teaches the Word of God with great joy and enthusiasm. She also hosts highly successful Just Joy! outreaches. Carol encourages and empowers women with passionate and practical biblical messages mixed with her own special brand of hope and humor. Carol has written three books, "Holy Estrogen!", "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart" and "Defiant Joy!" which was released by a subsidiary of Thomas Nelson. Her teaching DVD, "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart", won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award, for excellence in religious programming. Carol has also been featured on YouVersion (the smart phone Bible app) with several devotionals, including: "For the Journey Set Before Him", "Jolt of Joy", and "Joy to YOUR world", " Carol has a daily radio program, "Defiant Joy! Radio" which is available in several national markets including Youngsville PA, Warren PA, Buffalo NY, Roanoke VA, Norfolk VA, and Nashville TN. A 1977 graduate of Oral Roberts University with a degree in Music and English, Carol has the distinction of being both the first Women's Chaplain and the first woman to speak at the university's Vespers. Carol currently serves on the ORU Alumni Board as chaplain. She is married to her college sweetheart and love of her life, Craig, who serves as senior pastor of Life Church, a church near Buffalo, NY. Craig and Carol have been happily married for nearly 37 years and are the parents of five children and three delightful daughters-in-law. Craig and Carol are thrilled with the joy of being grandparents to five precious grandchildren! Carol has written three books, "Holy Estrogen!", "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart" and "Defiant Joy!" which was released by a subsidiary of Thomas Nelson. Her teaching DVD, "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart", won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award, for excellence in religious programming. Carol has also been featured on YouVersion (the smart phone Bible app) with several devotionals, including: "For the Journey Set Before Him", "Jolt of Joy", and "Joy to YOUR world", " Carol has a daily radio program, "Defiant Joy! Radio" which is available in several national markets including Youngsville PA, Warren PA, Buffalo NY, Roanoke VA, Norfolk VA, and Nashville TN. A 1977 graduate of Oral Roberts University with a degree in Music and English, Carol has the distinction of being both the first Women's Chaplain and the first woman to speak at the university's Vespers. Carol currently serves on the ORU Alumni Board as chaplain. She is married to her college sweetheart and love of her life, Craig, who serves as senior pastor of Life Church, a church near Buffalo, NY. Craig and Carol have been happily married for nearly 37 years and are the parents of five children and three delightful daughters-in-law. Craig and Carol are thrilled with the joy of being grandparents to five precious grandchildren!

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