I've been thinking about character...
I've been thinking about character.
Call me crazy, but I love mathematical equations.
Especially if they are as simple as 2 x 2 = 4.
But then there are some equations that are just…
(New Born + Global Pandemic) x 3 months = CRAZY!!!
What does character have to do with equations you ask? Simple. Character is the product or sum of who you are. More specifically, character comes from a life that is hurried, stressed, overwhelmed and yet where promises are made and deadlines are met. It is a computation of who we are in those stressed moments. God created us with his perfect image – his characteristics of devotion, compassion, generosity, and love. Because of sin, that image was shattered like a broken mirror. But through Jesus, we have an example of what perfect character looks like; and as we learn and apply God’s word to our lives our character will slowly but surely result in one that looks like God’s.
I’ve recently entered a new season – fatherhood. The quarantine has definitely added to the already complicated equation of learning how to take care of a newborn and minister in new ways. Over the last few months one of many character traits God has been cultivating in my heart is selflessness. Oh! How Rosalie, my baby girl needs so much of my time, attention and energy. She is so dependent on me and my wife and she doesn’t even fully appreciate it most of the time! Don’t get me wrong, I love my daughter and I have so many precious moments with her, but I’ve really had to sacrifice a number of things that I once enjoyed before I became a father (not to mention the quarantine). Yet, I know that as I add in the necessary time, attention and energy along with the selfless character of Christ, the result will be a healthy daughter that will grow up knowing the love of her earthly father and heavenly Father.
This season is most likely putting you under some sort of stress and pressure. Your character will be put to the test. Will it stand? Or will it collapse?
“More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
Romans 5:3-5
My questions to you: what does your character equation look like? What variables are you putting into place so that the result is a Christ-like character? If you lack self-control and purity, are you surrounding yourself with a Christ-centered community, multiplying your time in God’s word, and adding in spirit-filled prayer? Are you struggling to live joyfully or have peace? Where do you place your hope in? The things in this world that will one day pass away, or in Christ? The one who said, “in this life you will have trouble, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Building Christian character does not come automatically. It is a slow, sometimes painful and crazy process. But Jesus promises the result is infinitely more beautiful than we can imagine.
Crazy? I think not.