December 19

Demonstrating Character

On April 26, 2008, the Western Oregon women's softball team played against Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington. During the course of the game, Western Oregon senior Sara Tucholsky hit the first homerun of her college career. She dropped her bat and started to make her way around the bases. In the midst of all the excitement, she forgot to tag first base. When the first base coach brought the mistake to her attention, she quickly turned around. To everyone's horror, her right knee buckled. Crying, she tried her best to crawl back to the base. Tucholsky's teammates were warned that if they touched her, she would be called out. The umpires also noted that if her coaches opted to call in a pinch runner, the homerun would only count as a single. You can probably imagine the shock everyone felt, then, when Mallory Holtman, the opposing team's first baseman and career homerun leader for Central Washington, turned to the umpire and said, "Would it be okay if we carried her around the bases, and she touched each bag?" When the umpires gave their approval, Holtman and teammate Liz Wallace picked up Tucholsky, crossed their hands beneath her, and carried her to second base. Once there, they lowered the injured player and gently touched her foot to the bag. They did the same for third base and home plate. The crowd erupted into a standing ovation. Western Oregon went on to win the game, eliminating Central Washington from the playoffs. George Vecsey, a writer who was there covering the game, said what happened can only be described as a “moment of grace.”
The world sees a demonstration of character and it makes national news and everyone cheers. The word character is not used in the Bible. We don’t often see that word used in newspapers or hear it on TV. Yet we know what it means, and we immediately recognize its absence. A wise person once said, “Character is what we do when no one is looking.” It is not the same as reputation – what other people think of us. It is not the same as success or achievement. Character is not what we have done, but who we are. And when we demonstrate it in our lives it has a profound impact on the world around us.

Paul reminded Timothy about the importance of character when he said,

2 Tim. 2:20-21 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

In these days of celebrity scandal and celebrating the lowest of our appetites, God calls us to work on developing our character and our usefulness as his instruments. Keep in mind one very important fact. No matter how much you work on becoming a noble instrument, it will never be enough to earn God’s approval. Character is not a way to earn a ticket to heaven. God can’t love you anymore than he does right now. Salvation is his gift to us. Character is our way to say thank you for all that God has done.

Enjoy the snow storm!!