Character Counts
"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings,
because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
perseverance, character; and character, hope."1
Interestingly enough, where I grew up (quite a few
years ago now), in our grade school English classes
every story we read had a moral, and over the door of
every class room was written a motto such as,
"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your
might,"2 that was quoted from the Bible. We were also
taught the importance of keeping one's word. In fact,
a man's word was his honor. It was a mark of
character!
Furthermore, every week during school hours students
had to attend a religious instruction class of their
choice. One had to have a letter from one's parents if
he/she were to be excused from attending.
But where have those values gone today? Cheating in
school is the norm for far too many students. Recently
we heard on TV how one teacher failed a student whom
she caught cheating on her final exam. The cheater's
parents were so outraged that this teacher was forced
to resign! Teaching at Harvard Business School
several years ago, Chuck Colson noted that the
students didn't have a clue about ethics. Hence we
reap results such as the Enron debacle. And millions,
at least in the Western world, are spending millions
every year on getting rid of wrinkles and the like
because they are much more concerned with their
external image and appearance than inner character.
It seems for many that we have forgotten that
character counts!
According to the organization, Character Counts, "The
Six Pillars of Character are: trustworthiness,