ONE TRUE PROPOSITION

Recap: In our last episode, we looked at the fact that after counting on God, having a good, beneficial, and value-minded circle of relationships is second to known. We also learned that friendship regardless of the type is better lived than defined or explained. I am excited to share with you today another powerful variable that I believe will go a long way in helping you make this fragile and transient life count. 

Things as they are

Scattered throughout the inscriptions and pages of history, from the beginning of ancient civilization, right down to where time and space have brought us today, are the stories and exploits of men and women who rose to the apex of affluence and influence in life. Among them were people who exercised and wielded great power, displayed outstanding skills, showed rare courage and bravery and portrayed exquisite expertise and charisma in all their dealings. Throughout their lifetime, they were seen as purposeful, resilient, committed, devoted, and even died determined. It won’t be wrong to say that these great men fulfilled their destinies; yet, most of them failed in the commonest and overlooked yet needful area of life – character. 

Take a quick survey of our celebrities today and how they are powerfully shaping our cultures by day; I don't mean to nit-pick on any of them but just stating the fact, most of them succeed at what they do but are failing in this one thing - character.

If they had achieved a great feat in life, why would a thing such as character be the reason they failed? Have you ever given your character a deep thought and ask yourself its importance? Do you know that the development of your character is the most worthy and significant business you conduct in life? Again, do you know that regardless of your position, role, status in society, certifications, seizing the opportunity to build and develop character is entirely your responsibility?

In a simpler sense, the character is that enduring trait and part of a person that is being displayed regardless of time and place. In his book “In Charge – Finding the Leader within You” Myles Munroe posited the foundational concept of the word character. He said character is fixed, it is predictable and it is an image. By implication, one’s character should be stable and set, trusted and expected, and it is inherent and often reflects its essence. Thus, it is usual for us to say: “if it is Mr. A, that is typical of his character, we know he is capable of doing that”.

Why Character?

Time and space have brought us to a generation that the clamor for titles, power, position, skills, gifts, talents, educational qualifications, charisma, influence, and affluence are all that dominate the scale of preference of people’s life - all these are not bad. Yet, the one thing needed to uphold, maintain, and make all the aforementioned last and stand the test of time is ignored. Be it by omission or commission, wit or insanity, the enduring fact is that without character even if you achieve all these, it would be like drawing water from a long deep well with a basket - such an effort in futility.

Character is what makes up the man. You cannot in any way look or sound different from your character because your character is the content you are made up of. If you are reading this piece now, I want to assume that you know significantly why you need a good character in life. Succinctly, its importance in life cannot be a cliche, you need it to make your life count. Hence, I will just highlight a few here for our introspective and applied meditation.

Your character is the doorway that opens you up to people, sadly, it can also shut the door in your face as well. A good character is a sweet-smelling fragrance that attracts men to you, but the opposite stinks.  Your character is what speaks in your absence in the mind of people, it stays with them when you are gone and it can sell you favorably or sell you off completely. 

Your character builds a good reputation for you, it enables you to go places and do and achieve things. A good character is a bedrock upon which all other virtues are built, without which they will stand on sinking sand. A good character is more valuable than rubies, wealth, crowns, or kingdoms, and cultivating it is the most honorable task on earth. Permit me to say that a good character is a blessing, not only to you but to your generation as well.

Worthy of note is the fact that character is not cultivated at ease, it will cost you time, effort, pride, and ego. Therefore, know that adversity is the hoe with which we cultivate character. 

Let me wrap up with the words of Billy Graham of the blessed memory. He said: "The inner character of a person is the measure of lasting greatness". He added that "When wealth is lost, nothing is lost, when health is lost, something is lost; when a character is lost, all is lost".  To make life count, build and develop a good and worthy character, it is what you offer people, it is your one true proposition. 

Thank you for reading

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