Standing Strong!

Fences can be made of a variety of materials and for a variety of reasons. We have two kinds of fencing around our yard. In the front we have a cedar rail fence. It doesn’t keep anything in or out, but does provide a nice rustic boarder to our front yard. In the back we have a chain link fence designed to keep our dog in and other dogs out. Fences may also be constructed of barbed wire, brick, chicken wire, stone, wood, etc.

Recognizing the differing materials and purposes of fences, there are similarities when we consider CHARACTER. The makeup of people’s CHARACTER is not always of the same substance. CHARACTER can also serve to keep out, hold in, or establish certain defined boundaries of which others may eventually become aware. What CHARACTER is made of is of utmost importance because, like a fence, all the whitewash or paint in the world will not strengthen shoddy workmanship.

What are we truly within? When our life is exposed to the elements (life’s storms that attempt to weather our lives) are we developing CHARACTER that will withstand those forces? Is our CHARACTER made up of the right stuff that will hold strong against the winds of this world’s ideas that might attempt to topple us over? Are we growing in CHARACTER that will resist the rot of worldliness that may try to cause us to crumble?

Paul was one whose life was marked by a desire for consistency between his claims and how he lived. His aim was to live before both God and man in all good conscience. ( Acts 24:16) Being a man of godly CHARACTER, Paul was enabled to stand strong in the face of opposition.

In Paul’s second letter to the church at Corinth he wrote…
“(1) Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But WHAT WE ARE IS KNOWN TO GOD, AND I HOPE IT IS KNOWN ALSO TO YOUR CONSCIENCE. (12) We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about WHAT IS IN THE HEART.” ( 2 Corinthians 5:11-12 ESV)

Yes, God knows what we truly are. We must focus on more than just the outward appearance we are keeping up and consider what is in the heart. A little paint or whitewash may fool the world for a while, but in time weak CHARACTER shows through.

If our life is beginning to lean we had better take a look at what foundation we have set it in. If there are gaps we need to seek to fill them with the right materials. Let us continue to seek God’s Will and the strength He provides in sustaining godly CHARACTER so that others may ultimately see what truly has the power to remain standing strong through all the things life throws at us.
Have a great day REMAINING UNMOVED BY THE WORLD’S FORCES!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Character