CHARACTER MATTERS

I recently read a book by this title written by Mark Rutland, the president of Southeastern University in Lakeland Florida. In the first chapter he talks about how people in our 21st century society have lost the whole concept of the word character.

The English word “character” comes from a Latin root that means "engraved”. The idea is that of a rough piece of granite that can either be carefully sculptured into a beautiful statue or a building stone of some sort, or can be chipped carelessly away to a worthless piece of rubble. Character, the composite virtue and value etched into that stone by the sculptor, will define its worth! Virtues like courage or modesty can be learned by children if they are properly taught and modeled by the older generation. A culture rests on its virtues, and these virtues can be taught.

The very word “virtue” derives from another Latin word for “strength”, virtue is really restrained strength, or strength under control. There is power in virtue, and virtue in power when it is used to impact others for good! Character matters, and virtue is the strength of character. The danger is not so much the lack of virtue, as it is wrong virtues. As a society defines its virtues, it in turn is defined by its virtues. “Twisted virtues mean a twisted culture.”

If a society hopes to elevate its character, it must first carefully define its virtues. Many in our world think there is nothing worth dying for, but they are wrong. There has to be something worth dying for or else the cross of Christ is a sick joke, and Tienanmen Square was a parade of fools!

God can teach us virtue, but we must want it. Now is the time for character! Persons of virtue with the power to touch this tired culture with transforming grace, will not just happen. We must be intentional to produce them, teach them, and carve them with care on the soul of our nation! That is what “character” is all about!

Sincerely submitted.

Gramp