character...

I've been thinking a lot lately about what it means to have character. I think the word is thrown around quite a bit and few of us know what it really means. The subject came to my mind because of situations and circumstances that have come to my attention in the last few weeks in my life. I want to be a person of good character. If there's one thing I've thought since I was quite young, it was that I wanted to be transparent. I wanted to be like a glass house that has no secrets and if you looked inside, you never found anything that you wouldn't expect by looking at the outside. It's a strange thought I suppose, but one that I've thought for so long that I don't even realize that I'm thinking about it. Now this very thought process can get me in trouble because I can't hide things very well. If I'm annoyed or frustrated it tends to show on my face. I think the older and more mature I get I get better at this, but part of me doesn't want to be good at it...at hiding. Finding the balance...sigh...as in all things of life.

So character... in my own thoughts before looking it up or researching the definition I think of consistency. I think of someone who treats everyone the same. I think of someone who realizes there position (be that leadership or not) and realizes the responsibility that goes with that. I think of someone who does what's right when no one is watching, because they simply believe in the right thing. I think of someone who is always honest and is looking out for the good of others. Now those are my thoughts.

Here's the dictionary meaning: moral or ethical quality: a man of fine, honorable character, qualities of honesty, courage, or the like; integrity; reputation: a stain on one's character;
good repute; an account of the qualities or peculiarities of a person or thing.

So really from that definition you need to know what moral and ethics are and what it means to have integrity! Which I suppose changes somewhat within a culture, but overall would remain consistent.

I guess after reading that, what I consider "character" has more to do with the the underlying qualities and ethics of a persons life . To me it seems like a 'known' factor that if I am up on a stage leading others in worship that I should also be consistent in showing a genuine interest in those same people when I see them face to face. That when I work for someone I should not show disrespect or an attitude any different than I would with someone asking me to do something I love. I mean, obviously our flesh and natural tendency is to only do what 'feels good' and is 'comfortable', but that is why I would venture to say good character is hard to come by.

Just my thoughts...outloud...transparently :)