The true measure of an individual is how he treats a person who can do him absolutely no good.
—Ann Landers
Nearly all [persons] can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.
—Abraham Lincoln
The measure of a [person]'s real character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.
—Thomas B. Macaulay
Reputation is what men and women think of us. Character is what God and the angels know of us.
—Thomas Paine
In contemplating the meaning of “Courage, Character and Competence” in leadership, the discussion around character is one that in some ways it feels very personal. The importance of being people of character, evidenced in the quotes above, is a reflection on how we act and what we do.
I appreciate the direction Thomas Paine takes us and want to challenge us to think even more deeply about this. While I share the importance of understanding character in terms of how we live and what we do (and the Scriptures have a lot to say about this), let’s move in another direction.
Character is also about who we are. Let me explain. In Genesis 1 we get the story of God speaking the world into being, we know the words well; “and God said, 'Let there be … and it was so.'” But with humans the method changes. He says, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness” and then Scriptures says that we are formed out of the dust of the earth. He breathes life into us and then blesses us. He made us as the crowning point of creation. That, by design, is who we are.
The stories of scripture take this further as God picks leaders not because of their strength, public presence, leadership skills, or holiness. The words of God to Samuel as he prepares to anoint the second king of Israel capture this: “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (I Samuel 17)
When thinking about character we first need to consider who we are in the context of our creation and our creator. Made in His image, we get our very being from Him. Made in His image, we find our worth in Him. Made in His image, we find our authority in Him. He looks within, and in His own words “I look at the heart.” When others doubt or question, He sees your heart.
As you lead this year, may you find all you need in Him. He made you for this task.