Written by Pastor Jack Wellman“What happens outwardly in your life is not as important as what happens inside you. Your circumstances are temporary, but your character will last forever.”
– Rick Warren
Rick Warren Quote About Eternity Commentary
Your outer world is a reflection of your inner world. Everything people can see about you had its origins in the processes inside your mind. In other words, everything began with your thoughts. Everything in your life is a reflection of a process that started with thoughts and culminated with your character. You have to be aware of this for you to truly live the life you want. You have to be mindful of this and unleash its power for you to live life to the fullest. Character matters. Character is the driver of your destiny. As Pastor Rick Warren said: character is what drives you not external temporary forces. Your character is forever while your circumstances are temporary. Keep this in mind when you are facing seemingly impossible challenges and when you are feeling doubtful, uncertain, frustrated, or drifting. The good news is that if we base our character on the Rock that won’t roll away, we will be basing our character on something eternal, something that will withstand the test of time, and something truly full of power.
You choose your character
The great thing about being a Christian is that it is all based on choice. You shouldn’t be a Christian because your parents were Christian or your friends in school are Christians. You shouldn’t be a Christian because of some exemplary pastor you want to copy. Instead, real Christianity is all about relating to Jesus. Seeking him, communing with him, and having a real relationship with him. Walking with him daily. These all involve choice. You choose Christ to change your life and be saved but you have to continue to choose him. Day by day. As said by Apostle Paul in Corinthians, when we behold Christ we become changed. Let’s face it, before Christ, our characters weren’t very good. How can they be? After all, the human character is all about self-seeking, domination, power, and pleasure seeking. Only when we keep beholding Christ that his other-seeking, compassionate, loving, generous, patient, faithful, self-sacrificing love begins to change us. And all this begins with your thoughts. Think of Jesus. Think of choosing him day by day. Think of giving him permission to renew and transform you every single day. In other words, choose your Christ-like character every single day. Christ can’t do it for you. You have to do it. Why? Christ is love and love is based on free choice and free will.
