The Building Blocks of our Character

We went to a kids recreation area and I was fascinated by how my children were excited to play with wooden building blocks. I guess I'm so used to seeing plastic toys with lots of fancy designs. With the blocks, their imagination started to work and they tried out their own design ideas. With a solid base of blocks, my son was able to build a tower! The simplest of toys gave them great joy and tons of fun.

What is our character made of? What are the values that we consider to be building blocks of who we are? On the surface we can try to express and even impress, but sooner or later when unguarded, our true character comes out.

Let us recall the times when we were in crisis or when people offended us. How did we react? How do we behave at home? These are the unguarded times when we find out the strength of the foundation of our character.

I have heard once in a homily that humility is the mother of all virtues. It is the strength of God and the weakness of the devil. The crucifixion of Christ was an act of utmost humility that saved us all.

Funny thing about humility is that when you admit that you are humble you automatically lose the virtue.

Like the wooden blocks, it is humble in appearance but rich in value. Let humility be the foundation of the building blocks of our character. May humility be evident in our unguarded moments, when no one is around to judge. May Christ, our sure foundation, build us up to be like Him.

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Closing the Gap

How would you describe your life at present? What is your description of an ideal life? Try to compare it against what you believe is the description of God's ideal life for you.
The realization of the gap between our concept of an ideal life and God's ideal life for us is a basis of the important decisions we have to make. What does God want us to do? What areas of sin do we have to change so we can be closer to God's plan for our lives? 3 F's that can help us close the gap between our ideal life and God's ideal life for us.

Live a Faith-based life. For we walk by faith and not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7). Make decisions based on your prayers. No matter how solid our plans might seem to be, without faith we will always lack the strength. A life lived with faith in God draws out strength unimaginable. It dissipates our worries knowing God is in control.

Go back to your Foundation of values. Our values should dictate the course of our actions. These values are to be Christ-centered. Along the way in our life's journey, we are exposed to attractive opportunities like a better paying job, a new business, relocating to a new home, loaning for something you want to buy. While these things are good, we might want to ask ourselves, "Are these aligned to our foundation of values?" Some forget to value their family because of a new opportunity. Others fail to value their spiritual life because of their busy financial life. If you are not sure of what your values are, you might want to write down a hierarchy of Christ-centered values. Find out your top priority values.

We need to strive to have Freedom from Bondages. There are certain areas of sinfulness that we can't seem let go. No matter how far we've moved forward in our lives these things have a great potential of pulling us back and enslaving us. God wants us to live a life of authentic freedom. It might seem hard to give up at first. But with humility and a posture of surrender, God will liberate us and put us on track with His plan.
God's plan for our lives will always be a mystery to us. I alone know the plans I have for you (Jeremiah 29:11). But the Lord reveals His plans at the right time, when we are ready. Being Free from bondage, sticking with our Foundation of values, and living a Faith-based life will bring us nearer to His holy will.

I believe that God gives the best for those who give their best for Him. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him(Romans 8:28)