Greetings Morehead Family!
Through these final weeks that I am with you all, we are exploring the 5 core character traits of God. When God reveals who He is to Moses in Exodus 34:6-7, He says, “Yahweh, Yahweh, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, overflowing with loyal love and faithfulness.”
This verse is the most quoted and reused verse in the Hebrew Bible. It’s clear that this description is core to the biblical understanding of who God is, so I wanted us to spend some time focusing on this fascinating passage, looking at each of these descriptors and digging into the significance they have for us today. God’s constant presence and strength of character give us solid ground to stand on even when things are changing around us.
I’ve been pondering how the book of Genesis says that we were made in the image of God. Could that mean that we were MADE to reflect these core character traits? Of course, we fall short. I wonder, however, what it means that at our own cores, we were made to reflect these character traits?
COMPASSION
GRACE
SLOWNESS TO ANGER
LOYAL LOVE
FAITHFULNESS
This Sunday we are going to celebrate Pentecost, where we commemorate birth of Christ’s Church and the gift of the Holy Spirit. As we dig deep into each of these characteristics in worship, I want to invite you to take some time for personal reflection. Remember, the Holy Spirit is a gift and companion to you as you seek to reflect God’s core character traits in your life! Here are some questions you could explore and pray about:
1. What are the core characteristics that you exhibit in your life?
2. Which of God’s 5 core characteristics in Exodus 34:6-7 do you reflect well in your life? Take a moment to celebrate with the Holy Spirit how you reflect the image of God!
3. Which of God’s 5 core characteristics do you think you could reflect better in your life?
Take a moment to ask the Holy Spirit to help you grow in this area. Is there a Christian in your life that you see as a good exemplar of this characteristic? Consider sharing with them how you see them reflecting God’s character and how you are seeking to grow in this area.
As I finish up this writing, I am going to pause in my day and spend some time in prayer for you all, the beloved disciples of Jesus at Morehead UMC. I am going to pray for God’s Spirit to pour out abundantly within our community, making us powerful reflections of God’s compassion, grace, slowness to anger, loyal love, and faithfulness!
With love,
Pastor Nikki Raye