Character
Macmillan dictionary – n. “the qualities that make up someone’s personality” or “someone’s reputation, especially with relation to honesty or reliability.”
“What a character!” Have you ever said that when passing someone on the street who’s acting in a bizarre manner? Sometimes it’s because they’re being totally inappropriate; other times it’s because they’re doing something clever or unusual that reflects their uniqueness. Perhaps you’ve had the word tossed your way to describe what’s good for you when you’re doing an unpleasant task. An admonishing parent or well-meaning friend might say, “It’s good for you. It builds character!” Maybe you’ve dealt with someone who’s not been on the up-and-up with you so you mentally label them a shady character and resolve to keep your distance.
But what about you? How do others perceive you and how do you feel about your own character?
There was a time in my life when I didn’t like myself much. I didn’t trust myself either. I was young and full of ideas about who I wanted to be but didn’t have a clue how to make them happen. Though I was loved by family, had deep friendships and enjoyed a strong reputation, how I presented myself to the world didn’t align with how I felt inside. Appearances were important and I worked hard at looking like I had it all together while my private life left much to be desired. I was restless when alone and disliked my own company. I was bored and needed outside stimulus to feel alive. This sense of duplicity pervaded my twenties. At 28, I ventured to China to teach English for two years. This was in the mid-80s and the doors to the West had just opened so we were under constant scrutiny and endured a fishbowl existence. Toward the end of that second year, the pressure became unbearable. Compounded by a romance that ended bitterly, I hit an all-time low. In a communist country that quashed my freedom and an ocean away from those that mattered, I was heart-broken, dejected and all alone. I felt shipwrecked and hopeless. In the depths of my despair I cried out to God and heard nothing but silence. This went on for what felt like eternity until one day my Bible fell open to Psalm 139. As though handwritten and personally addressed to me, the psalmist’s words penetrated my darkness, convincing me of my worth. It was a turning point in my young life. God was forming my character from the inside out.
I look back at that pivotal event and other excruciating periods in my life – usually times when I was at wit’s end, helpless and out of control. Though each event seemed uniquely unbearable, God was at work, forging my character in the Refiner’s fire, shaping me into my best self. God’s nature is patient, loving and redemptive. He doesn’t waste the pain in our lives. My challenge is to remember Who is the Potter and who is the clay. When we commit our lives to Christ, we are submitting ourselves to the Potter and allowing our lives of clay to be shaped on the Artist’s wheel. It is God’s great pleasure to fashion us into a unique version of the image of Christ.
God’s character is flawless. It never changes. It’s the same yesterday, today and forever. God’s grace is all sufficient. Truth and righteousness flow from God’s throne. God’s heart is for all of creation. God’s heart is for you. Do you believe it? Do you trust that your character matters to your Creator?
Spend some time reflecting on the times in your life when your metal was tested and your character was forged in the furnace of life. Are you able to give thanks for how those times helped form you? Is there an area even now that you sense God wants to redeem and shape for His glory? Will you cooperate with the Potter to become your best you?
““As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.” ”
““For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” ”
““… but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” ”
““…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” ”