The Real Cap on Our Ability

February 8, 2009 in Leadership with 5 Comments

So what determines how much far you can go in this life or what you can accomplish in God's Kingdom? What are the most important things you can develop?  Your talents?  Your intellect?  Your work ethic?  Your skill set? (Get some mad skillz…)

More and more, I believe this is true:  Who we are are will always set the limits on what we can do. 

I used to think that competency trumped everything.  But ultimately, I think character trumps competency. 

You don't have to be a follower of Jesus to know how important character is.  Witness public reaction to A-Rod and Michael Phelps in the last few days.  Character trumps competency – again. 

I am always looking for ways to grow my abilities – to be a better leader, to be a better preacher, to be a better dad, a better husband.  But in each of those fields, I need to put one quest above them all: to have a character more deeply shaped by Christ.

What do you think about character and accomplishment?  What helps you grow your character? 

About Carey Nieuwhof: Carey Nieuwhof is lead pastor of Connexus Community Church and author of the best selling books, Leading Change Without Losing It and Parenting Beyond Your Capacity. Carey speaks to North American and global church leaders about change, leadership, and parenting.

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  • http://www.danieldecker.net daniel d

    Great thoughts. When I read this I thought of Philippians 4:13 “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
    No doubt that who we are will set the limits on what we can do… especially if who we are involves more of us than more of Him.

    Character for me means not talking smack about what I should do and then doing the opposite. It means really making an ongoing commitment to do the same in private as I would in public and to continually check myself, my motives and my actions against who I claim to be.

  • http://blogs.wolfpawroad.com LoneWolf

    This is a good point. We are limited in what we can do by our character but also by our faith. Both of these are more important that our abilities.

    I'm sure that you've heard many times that the one ability that God wants us to have most is availability.

    Thanks for your encouraging and challenging posts here and on Twitter. I also hear you on the radio once in a while on the way to church Sunday mornings (although it is usually just the tail end).

    Shalom
    LoneWolf

  • http://connect2impact.blogspot.com jasonS

    The parable of the talents tells us the master judges character not sucess. "Well done good and faithful servant…" I want to accomplish great things, but that starts with being faithful where I am.

    I've found the Bible has got all right on how character is formed. Trials produce perseverance, perseverance character, and character hope (that will not disappoint). Character comes from going through the fire and coming out the other side more dependent on Him.

    Great post!

  • http://jayhardwick.com jay hardwick

    well said and spot on, carey. thanks for sharing!

    heard wayne cordeiro say once, "you can teach what you know, but you'll reproduce what you are."

    huge challenge for all of us in spiritual leadership.

  • http://www.frankseixas.com Frank Seixas

    right on Carey, like you I believe character is the most important thing. This is indeed a constant struggle in regards to leadership. unfortunately charisma and gifts is seen many times above character. I heard this…
    "Charisma or gift can take you really high, but only character will sustain you there".