I'M CHANGED
But then I ‘pick myself up’, stick a pin in that bubble and remember that just because I no longer have that ‘youthful look’ I am who God created! My heart (spiritually) and my mind have been transformed into an ever-learning Christian woman, who has watched children and grandchildren grow, went to college late in life, lost my husband of 51 years; and has years and years of life experiences!
WHO--OR WHAT- DO PEOPLE SEE?
Then my mind runs on a bunny trail asking, 'Who do people think I am?' Do they see the woman who gets frustrated to tears when I’m lonely, or when I have a bad day? Does my heart for people show up when there’s a need? Am I careful about what I say and yet willing to share my faith?
I’m glad God cares more about my heart than my appearance. There are days when I look just awful. I try to maintain a ‘decent look,’ but when I’m down, sad, or not feeling good those feelings can mess with that! But does my appearance have anything to do with my character—about who I am on the inside?
LIFE CHANGES US
We come into the world with unique personalities. Then life begins shaping us through our families, education, successes, disappointments, relationships, and experiences. Yet beneath all those influences lies something even deeper—our integrity, faithfulness, compassion, and the beliefs that guide our choices. Those are the qualities that reveal our true character.
REVEALING OUR CHARACTER
How we respond to any given situation, good or bad, reveals our character. As believers the goal is to have the character of Christ. God has a perfect character and Jesus perfectly revealed that character while living among us. Even when sin handed him the crucifixion, His character remained perfect.
I know when I get anxious several things happen. My mind goes into overdrive and I imagine all kinds of nonsense, with all kinds of questions! I talk faster than normal and become edgy. When I’m angry or sad, I cry. When I’m lonely or revisiting memories, I also cry—and I’m good at crying when I’m happy, as well! Crying seems to be my ‘go-to’!
HARD SEASONS
Hardships and struggles happen to all of us at some time or other. It could be finances, health, relational or a hundred other things. What is our response when something surprises us? Hard seasons don’t create our character nearly as much as they reveal it.
Who are we when nobody is watching? I’ve heard it said that ‘Who we are when no-one sees, is truly who we are.’ That can be scary!
GOD'S CHARACTER
God’s character is faithful, gracious, compassionate, patient, loving, just, and everything good. Where do I fit in those places? Do I reflect His heart? I know there are times when I fail; likely we all do to some degree. We’re human and we all have flaws.
But despite all our flaws we have a God who cares about us anyway! He is the ultimate role model. As our lives are lived, with all kinds of events daily, which can turn our day upside down, I wonder how often we demonstrate God’s character ---or do we demonstrate our own?
But then it makes me wonder how we can demonstrate God’s character if we don’t know Him!? We spend a great deal of time trying to become better people. We work on our patience, our kindness, our self-control. Yet perhaps we've been starting in the wrong place.
CHARACTER ISN'T CREATED'
Character isn't something we can create. It grows naturally as we come to know the One whose image we are being transformed into. The more we know Christ, the more His character quietly begins to appear in us. Perhaps demonstrating the character of God requires some serious, heart searching. When people look at our lives ---are we mirroring Christ?
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