Theodore Roosevelt once declared: “I care not what others think of what I do, but I care very much about what I think of what I do! That is character!” Why is it that some people fail to clean a shared or public toilet after using it? Why do some drivers fail to stop when the traffic light shows ‘red’? As a parent or potential parent, will you ever allow your little daughter in the care of a pedophile? We can continue to ask these kinds of questions as people around us keep manifesting their qualities. Like Roosevelt said, some people do not think about the consequences of what they do.
It was John Wooden, the famous basketball coach who said: “the true test of a person’s character is what they do when no one is watching.” Thus, what we do when no one is watching and when someone is watching can make or mar our future and society. The quiet choices we make day and night softly spread our character. In this article, I will be exploring the acronym ‘CHARACTER’. One of the qualities of character is courage – ‘C’. That is the courage to stand up for what is right even when it is difficult.
We have several examples of men and women who have stood up for what is right amidst opposition. In the history of America, Martin Luther King Jr was a courageous leader who adopted a non-violent approach in the late 1950’s and 60’s to achieve legal equality for African-Americans in the United States. In biblical history, Shadrach (Hananiah), Meshach (Mishael), and Abednego (Azariah) were three Hebrew young men who refused to bow down to what is wrong because they stood up for the God of Heaven and not a man-made god. Behold their declaration: “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”– Daniel 3:16-18 NLT. In a world where evil manifests in countless ways, many lack the courage to stand up for what is right in line with God’s Word and have bowed down to fleshly lusts. Many have compromised their convictions and denied their faith because of political ambitions, quest for fame, greed, and pursuit of wealth and financial prosperity. In our families, neighborhoods, workplaces and other spaces, we need to fight against every form of wrongdoing.
People of character do the right thing always without any form of coercion. They see something wrong wherever they are and kick against it. They are bold to address any form of injustice. God is looking for children, youth, men and women who are courageous enough to stand up for what is right for individual and societal benefits. Stories abound of how people with Godly character have excelled in life. God can help us to stand up for what is right if we allow Him. The first step is to become His righteousness by receiving Jesus Christ into your heart. Say this prayer of salvation: Dear Lord Jesus, from today, I accept and confess you as my Lord and personal Savior. I believe that you died and rose again to save me. Wash my sins away. I declare that I am born again. May You shape my character daily. Congratulations, if you said that prayer.
You can find what is right in God’s Word – The Holy Bible. As you read, study and meditate on God’s Word, His ways, principles, rules, instructions, corrections, methods, patterns and wisdom are revealed and these transform your mind to radiate Godly character. But remember, we are admonished to be doers of God’s Word and not just hearers, readers, students or meditators: “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” (James 1:22). The knowledge of God’s Word indeed shapes our thoughts and deeds to align with God’s character.
By Sunday Omori
HEM Int'l 