Character: A Grandfather’s Reflection

Look at the box just below this sentence.

What do you notice when you look at it? 

I don’t know about you, but my eyes are immediately drawn to the one little dot that sits inside the box.

I’m told that, like me, most people notice the dot first. Why do you suppose that is? Why not notice all the white space? It certainly covers much more of the area.

With my attention on the box and the white space and the small dot, my mind goes to David. As I think of him, I recall several things. He defeated Goliath. He was a great warrior and king. He slept with Bathsheba. He had Uriah killed to cover his sins.

Looking at the box, I see the dark dot, not all the pure white surrounding it. Similarly, as I look at David’s life, the first thing that comes to my mind is his moral failure.

Character Defined

Many definitions can be found in a standard dictionary for the word character. One of the most prominent and often found definitions is moral excellence and firmness or reputation.  Outside the dictionary, I have also heard character defined as how you act when no one is watching.

Character in the Day In and Day Out

As a child, I played many games that were meant to measure how close we could get to something or someone without crossing the line. And then there were our own children, each of whom thoroughly enjoyed putting their hands right in front of their siblings and saying, “Not touching, not touching!”

It didn’t matter whether it was a child’s game or sibling taunts, inevitably the line was crossed, and the battle was on! 

The question before us now, as adults, is are we doing the same? Are we testing the waters to see how close we can come to the line of sin without stepping over? 

I am part of a men’s discipleship group at our church, and I am by far the oldest of the group. When it started, I truly wondered what, if anything, these young guys (in their 20’s and 30’s) would want to hear from me (a guy in his late 60s)? I have to admit, I’ve been surprised at some of their questions and the fact that they seem to be listening to things I have to say! 

Our corporate observance of the 30-day Prayer Challenge will begin on Saturday, August 9^th. As we prepare to enter the challenge, it is important that we ask ourselves if we have each considered what type of character we portray to those around us. How do our children, grandchildren, and friends view us? (Because if our character, our reputation, is tainted or damaged, it’s certain no one will be interested in listening to us.)

Self-reflection

I’m looking back at the box. This time instead of recalling David, I’m looking at my own life. What do people see when they look at my life? Are their eyes drawn immediately to the dots (the places where I’ve failed), or do they see a person committed to Christ and trying to live a life that is pleasing to Him?