Having the children I have, with the nature they inherited from … well someone close to them, it’s no surprise that they are the inquisitive type.
This evening’s inquisitiveness came about as I was talking about the need to build the character. The question came: what is the difference between the personality and character?
At the time I wasn’t rushing for the dictionary to get definitions. I remembered something I had read earlier on in the day. When I thought about Joseph, I wondered why he did what he did when it came to treating Potiphar’s wife who had the hots for him. I wondered what it was that made him stick it out for years in a prison and even when he had been forgotten by the cupbearer, he was prepared for his opportunity and used that not to big himself up, but display the wisdom of God. That had nothing to do with personality – that had everything to do with character.
Personality is very important – that unique way of presenting the person and showing what makes them who they are, happy or reserved, enthusiastic or considered, bright and perky or calm and reflective. Those aspects – the style of the person is worth taking on board.
There is a godly character reflected in the fruit of the Spirit, reflected in the character of Christ, reflected in the children of God. In the diversity of personalities dotted around the planet the core characteristics are evident. Expressed differently, saying the same thing.
It truly is the filling of the character of God in the person that allows someone like Joseph to resist sexual temptation. It is the filling of the character of God that allows someone like Joseph to serve others whether for good or bad. It is the filling of the character of God that allows someone like Joseph to emerge from a prison to in essence become a Prime Minister by giving praise to the one that gives him purpose.
It’s one thing to have style, it’s another to have the content to make that style shine and leave a lasting impact. People will remember glittering personalities. What will last is the character reinforcing that.
My daughters have dazzling personalities. I get the opportunity to witness it every day. It would be a tragedy if their lives never fulfilled their potential because they didn’t open their lives to be filled with the character of God. It would likewise be a huge tragedy if their Dad never practised the ongoing growth in the character of God.
It’s not about it being either/or – it’s about both the God-given personality and the God-given character shining through to overcome opposition and establish godly impact in the world.
I believe my daughter got the message.
For his Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
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