| Psalm 25:21 – “May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, Lord, is in You.” |
Life is full of things we cherish, but at the core lies one word: character.
Renowned photographer Yousuf Karsh once likened character to a photograph, developing in the shadows. Another wise soul said, “Character is who you are when no one is watching.”
Character, much like other vital aspects of life, is challenging to define but easy to recognize. So, what does genuine character entail?
Let’s journey back to an old man’s tale. Immanuel Kant’s father, a frail figure traversing the Polish forests to his Silesian home, encountered robbers on his path. They demanded all he possessed, and in his fear, he surrendered everything he could recall.
“Have you given us all?” the robbers pressed. “All,” the old man replied.
However, as the thieves departed, the old man’s memory stirred. He felt a familiar touch on his leg and remembered a bag of gold sewn into his robe years ago. With newfound courage, he rushed back to the robbers, admitting his initial oversight and offering the hidden gold.
To his surprise, the robbers refused the gold, returning his money and prayers instead. Even they recognized true character.
The apostle John, having witnessed a myriad of individuals in his lifetime, distinguished between those who professed faith and those who lived it. He emphasized the importance of demonstrating love and faith through actions, not just words.
So, let me ask you: Do your deeds reflect the essence of Christian character?
Robert G. Taylor
robertgtaylor.com
