the measure of character
We can only define our character by how we express it towards our relationship with others and with God.
So how can we say how polished our characters are?
As my father would always remind me, "let others tell you who you are."
We might feel good about our stuffs - that is our actions and attitudes. We think we have done well. And most often, our actions brags more than our words. We tend to believe we are better than others. We are inclined to believe that we have achieved more, that we knew more, that we are far more superior than "them".
But it’s not on "what you have accomplished so far", rather it should be on "what you should have accomplished this far".
What we are to the eyes of the people we engaged our life with, defines us. They could err on their assessment… But usually, they are right.
So when my wife say i’ve taken her off for granted, it doesn’t matter how i think i’ve treated her. It doesn’t matter when all those while i keep on thinking about her… that i keep on praying about her. Her perception of me is now on the forefront. It’s the real issue that must be deal with. There’s no use telling her that I care deeply about her, when in the first place she doesn’t feel it anyway.
I know how on my own little way, i slipped small surprises from time to time. But still, the mere fact that it wasn’t appreciated and she declares that she doesn’t feel your care, STILL, is the main issue on that specific type of relationship.
If she says am not practicing what I preach… I’m taking it as a gospel truth.
Everytime she reminds how I failed, it keeps my feet on the ground, reminding me that am nothing but a wretched soul saved only by grace.
This applies to all kind of human relationships. Let the other party tells you who you are and what you’d been to him/her. And from there draw yourself up and out. Don’t be stagnant and wait to get stink. Keep on growing.
You can not please everybody, but you have to set things right with everybody.
That measures you up.
God, on the other hand, looks into our hearts… our desires… our passion.
For where your heart is, there will your heart be also. Luke 12:34
Our external action doesn’t really matter at all before Him. It’s where it came from, and what drives it out is what matters before God.
Setting our heart right before God, is a daily struggle. It is not even routinize. You are expected to grow in maturity. You are expected to win more carnal grounds within your self and win it over to be a spiritual field where you can nurture growth and build up your spiritual riches. Recognize the working of the Lord in your life, and not your working in the Lord. It’s the Lord who will determine the corresponding reward of your ministry and not yourself.
It is humility though, to boast in the Lord and not other things. King David said, "My soul will make its boast in the Lord; The humble will hear it and rejoice" (Psalm 34:2).
