June 18, 2004

[Rev. Doc]

Character

"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."
Romans 5:3-4

We have heard quite frequently lately that, "character matters!" In regard to our Christian walk this is most definitely true. We should be people of character.

Craig Saunders wrote about an experience he witnessed when he attended a Special Olympics for the Handicapped where several people from his church were competing. He shared how in the 220 track race there was a very fast runner named Andrew who was 50 yards ahead of the rest of the runners when he glanced back and saw his best friend fall. The crowd at the finishing post was yelling to Andrew, "Come on, come on, come on!"

But Andrew stopped and went back and took his friend's hand and lifted him to his feet and they ran together to finish the race.

The entire crowd stood to their feet and applauded. As Saunders said, "It was an amazing sight because that's what the Special Olympics are about. People don't consider being 'Number One.' The most important thing is that people finish the race."

Andrew won the Sportsman Award at those Special Olympics because he was more concerned being "Number One" with his friend than being "Number One" with the crowd.

Let's live our lives in such a way that we are number one in God's eyes and not worry about what the world thinks.

Prayer: Ask the Lord to help you build character that will impact the lives of others for His glory.

"Character may be manifested in the great moments, but it is made in the small ones." ~Phillips Brooks.