Character & Circumstance

Cost. Struggle. Trial. Endurance. These are some of the Bible's most pervasive themes. Other common themes are an abundant life, glory, joy and power. Interestingly enough, all of these themes flowed from the character of Christ to form a single story, one tome of accumulated texts to speak of one and the same being: God. God knows both joy and struggle. He knows abundance, and its cost. God knows trial and glory; endurance and power. They are not two distinct sets of traits, but linked outcomes when circumstance meets character.

In fact, what's happening here is a dynamic mix of character and circumstance. Underlying this mix is a God-initiated principle: the best way to eliminate some enemies is to make them your allies. On a person-to-person level, we can see scripture illustrating this in Mark 12:31, when we are told to love our neighbors as we love ourselves; in Luke 10:25-37, where we see an example of a man helping his ethnic rival; and also in Matthew 5:44, where we are told to love our enemies. But we also see this principle in person-to-situation relations, or as previously called, character-to-circumstance. For too often, we find our circumstances being our greatest hindrance or enemy; something which must be defeated and overcome, not worked with. But God has again applied this principle in our lives with the power of our love for him. In Romans 8:28, we are introduced to this idea that all of the things that go on in our lives are now involved, by God, in a plan to better our lives. Our circumstances turn from enemy to ally.

The joyful life is not absent of struggle. Glory is not absent of trial. Heck! In God's plan, cost even contributes to abundance (Luke 6:38). Peace is not absence of war. We must not confuse character traits with circumstances. Peace isn't a situation, it's a character trait. Struggle is a situation; joy is a trait. It's not the case that a good life isn't difficult and a difficult life, not good. Not at all! Difficult circumstances only highlight God's goodness.

On the 26th of December, Isaiah and I met up after service. Along with much of our church's youth group, we packed into the newly opened IHOP. Throughout the day, a blizzard had been hovering over the region and over a foot of snow was expected. I decided I'd have an easier time commuting to his house than going home, so I took my brother up on his offer to sleep over. Waiting for the bus, Isaiah prayed several times, and most genuinely, that a bus come and deliver us from the snow. We were being peppered all over our bare faces, the wind was chilling our bodies and the snow below cooled our feet beyond comfort. Eventually, I couldn't help but pray that at least, we'd get out of the circumstance learning something new and valuable. Soon after, Isaiah burst into praise and two-step! Often, we had to mumble and grown through the Hillsong lyrics unbeknown to us, but we praised right through it. I began clapping and within only a few moments, two b6 buses appeared. Isaiah and I definitely took something away from that.

What we took away, I realized, was affirmed by the Bible. Tough times are often the best times. Firstly, as indicated by Ephesians 2:9, any given situation that you need saving is another chance for God to prove Himself. If He were to make the situation bearable or solvable to you, you'd be stuck in that same thinking that you can do it all by yourself. But it is God who is worthy of the glory, He who deserves the credit. Secondly, struggles gives us a chance to mature. In Romans 5:1-5, Paul illustrates how tribulation builds character in the form of patience, experience and hope. In James 1:2-4, it is written that even temptation builds character by strengthening our faith. Our job is to resist by believing in the Lord and obeying. Finally, struggle and endurance increase you Kingdom value. In Mark 10:31, Jesus says that the last will be the first. In 1 Peter 2, we read that when we endure and struggle as a result of a good choice, that is commendable to God. For that's the example Christ left, to accept suffering as a consequence of good decision-making.

However, in Mark 10:30, we also read that along with a hundredfold blessing comes persecution. Persecution does not eliminate the good life, it enhances it. This is a call to be the type of person who neither looks for trouble nor runs from it. To be the kind of individual who sets up principles of love, integrity and faith. That in a world of sheer darkness, those bearing light won't hide it, but will provide beacons of guidance and love. For we know that bad things happen when good people do nothing.