Monday Morning Devotion-March 21, 2022
Building Character
*reprint from October 17, 2016
Do not despise these small beginnings for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.
Zechariah 4:10
No matter how old or how young we are each of us is a work in process. The Lord is still building our character. Each day is a new beginning, and our character is being further developed.
Many things make up a person's character, so it makes sense that your character is continually evolving. It takes its shape from the decisions we make.
I read this statement on the internet: "Character is a choice. It transcends education, training, and position. Character can't be downloaded, and you won't get it by reading a book---it is built rather than bestowed."
To make sure I knew where we're going with this topic I decided to look up "character" in the dictionary. Wow, talk about a multi-faceted word. I found 15 different definitions of character. Let's look at a few that apply to what we are trying to learn here about building the right kind of character within ourselves,
The noun "character' can describe a "distinctive trait, quality, or attribute; a characteristic' found in a person."
Character can also be an "essential quality, nature of a kind or sort." It could be the "pattern of behavior or personality found in an individual or group; moral constitution."
Or character could also be "moral strength, self-discipline or fortitude."
You see there are lots of different ways to describe a person's character. We all want to be someone who is thought of as a person of "good character."
When you are applying for a job, the employer may ask others for your "character reference." They want to hear good things about you. Adjectives like dependable, honest, hardworking, self-starter, etc.
These are all things that you have developed by the way you conduct your life. The things you place value on as well as what you have accomplished.
Martin Luther King Jr was speaking of character when he said, "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." ("How to Build Character" www.godscareerguide.com)
This article goes on to say that "People of character are admired because they consistently do the right things for the right reasons. They do well in life. Character is synonymous with integrity, maturity and moral wholeness."
Building character is not a one-step process. When Neil Armstrong became the first person to set foot on the Moon's surface he said: "That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind." He told the press after the Apollo 11 mission that people didn't hear the "a" in the statement.
He was only "a" man taking that historic step, but it was a giant leap, a major advancement for mankind. Because of that a lot of the blanks were filled in. Much of the puzzle about the Moon. Its surface, environment, etc. were answered.
That small step by Armstrong was preceded by many other steps. He built his character to the point where he would be the one entrusted with this historic step. He studied, trained, disciplined himself and incorporated all the right character traits into his life so that he was prepared for that giant leap.
Obviously, you and I will never walk on the moon. Well, I don't know about you, but I won't. We can wisely build our personal character up, day by day, thought by thought, action by action to take major leaps in our lives when God feels we are ready. When He sees that our character reference is where it needs to be then he will send opportunities our way.
Tony Dungy says: "Building character through small things occurs over time. We must know what is right and choose to do it (and keep doing it) until it becomes second nature to us."
Remember the best seller: "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff?" When you read further you see that the subtitle is "and it's ALL small stuff." We have to make good decisions in our lives no matter if the action required seems big or small.
I'm sure you can probably remember a time or a particular instance in your life when you chose to overlook, not pay attention to, or take no action in a situation because it seemed like "small potatoes" to you. "Hey, I don't have time for this. Move aside." Then, later, maybe a short time later or even after much time had expired you realized, sometimes even dramatically, that it had become an "Oh, Oh." It was actually more important than you had thought at the time.
In our scripture from Zechariah we read: "What you do for God may seem small and insignificant at the time, but God rejoices in what is right not necessarily in what is big. Be faithful in the small opportunities. Begin where you are and do what you can and leave the results to God."
This may all seem simplistic. "Hey, I'll know what to do when the time comes. I didn't just fall off the turnip truck." No, you didn't and no you won't. You won't know what decision to make or whether it has valuable future implications unless you measure each seemingly small situation (and the big ones as well) by what God reveals to you to do.
Don't rush past these without at least a little quick prayer. That may be all you have time for because life is happening fast. But God certainly can make a quick decision and share it with you. Or He may want you to think about it, meditate on it and spend a little time with Him before deciding which path to take.
Remember God is working on your character and as we are fond of saying at Good Samaritan UMCĂ"God is good. ALL the time."
Prayer: Lord we pray for your guidance in building our character into one that honors you. Amen!