“So don't lose a minute in building on what you've been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others.” (1 Peter 1:5-7 MSG)
Charles was the star baseball player at our high school. He was handsome, popular, and admired by everyone. He went on to play baseball for several major league teams. He was, and still is, the most well-known graduate from our high school. Because Charles was a ‘celebrity,’ much of his life was on public display. Over the last few decades, he has been charged with domestic violence against two ex-wives and doping with performance-enhancing drugs. In comparison, I have another classmate who has led a low-profile life. Over the last few decades, she has walked with God--nurturing and encouraging others to walk in the light. Her life goes largely unnoticed, but it is still noteworthy.
When I was younger, I thought that having a great life meant making a mark on this world and creating a name for yourself. Now I realize that it isn’t one’s circumstances, talents, accomplishments, wealth, or fame that defines success. Instead, becoming a person of good character is what really counts. This involves developing understanding, discipline, patience, reverence, empathy, and generosity. Be helpful, not harmful. Build up others rather than puff up your own ego. Contribute more than you deduct from the world. Your life may go largely unnoticed, yet, it remains noteworthy.
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