~Fragrance of Blue~

This weekend I have been reflecting on my personality and my interactions with others. I have been praying over last year and the beginning of this year to walk more by the Spirit and less in the flesh. I do believe that we all have distinct and unique personalities from birth.
Psalm 139:14I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

I believe we also have experiences through life that shape us along with giftings given to us by the Holy Spirit for those of us who are believers in Christ.

However, I do believe that despite our genetics, experiences, and giftings I can learn to become more Christ-like by putting off the flesh in the power of the Spirit. This "Putting On of Christ" has to be intentional, though, through the power of the Word dwelling richly in me, through thanksgiving and prayer, and through my relationships with others. I often read this verse and think of it in the mornings as I am getting ready.

Colossians 3:12-18 (The Message)
12So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. 13Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. 14And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.
15Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. 16Let the Word of Christ--the Message--have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! 17Let every detail in your lives--words, actions, whatever--be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.

This weekend I was reminded of the insight I learned at a Sunday school leadership retreat on my personality.....I am a Blue and a Green. However, I feel that I need to yeild to the Spirit more when I am spreading the fragrance of Blue. How ironic, because my favorite perfume is Blue, by Ralph Lauren. Here are some insights to the blue personality.

Melancholic (Blue)
Like orderly lives, Prone to mood changes
Showing no bias, objective, detached
Structured, detailed, realistic

Demonstrated Behaviors
Questioning
Deliberate
Cautious
Precise
Formal

On a Bad Day…
Suspicious
Indecisive
Reserved
Stuffy
Cold

Gifts
Air of competence
Thorough follow-up
Asks probing questions
Knowledgeable and detailed

Liabilities
Overlooks others’ feelings
Focus on inconsequential details
Initial interaction may be difficult of stuffy
Questions may be seen as critical & insensitive

Approaching and Communicating: Do…
Be well prepared & thorough
Let me consider the details
Put things in writing

Approaching and Communicating:
Get too close of hug me
Be flippant on important issues
Change my routine without notice

This Friday I used the last of my Blue perfume. I was trying to use it to the last drop since it is my fav and it is so expensive to replace. However, alas, it is gone and it is a good reminder to me this weekend to ask if I want to continue to smell of blue? I recieved several compliments Friday night on how good I smelled, but yet, that makes me wonder, is it Too Much? Which leads me to pray and question of my Blue personality.....is it too much God? Please break me and help me spread your fragrance more and less of my fleshly fragrance of Blue.

2 Corinthians 2:14But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.

On a side note, I always have to say one way God was sweet to me as the weekend closes and I am reminded tonight of feeling protected and cared for. I was leaving to go home from time with some friends and made the comment that I was going to follow someone as they were leaving, as I don't like to be on dark roads while feeling sleepy. This gentleman proceeded to follow me all the way home to ensure I made it safely there without even being asked. Thank-you God for your protection and care through others. It felt really good!