The Importance of Character Building
(For this study, read also: Ministry of Healing Chapter 42)
1. Why is it important to build character when preparing to do this work?
Character building is similar to building a house. Christ told the story about the builder who built on sand - then the house fell when the storm came. The sand represents principles that are shifting and unstable. Self-focus, seeking for glory or to benefit ones self are all shifting and unstable foundations upon which to work. Emotional excitement as well. But even if we have all the right reasons, our human powers are limited and finite. Trusting in our own ability or professionalism is also a recipe for failure.
We must seek help from Christ and let our trust in him be the solid rock foundation upon which we rest our ambitions, anxieties and efforts in health ministry.
The 2010 earthquake in Haiti, more than 200,000 people were killed, and it was discovered that a reason for many of the deaths was related to building methods. Issues like too much sand mixed into the mortar of concrete block buildings and inadequate use of rebar played a role.
The earthquake was the test. Prior to the earthquake everything looked fine, but the weaknesses were revealed when the difficulty came. The same is true with character building. It may look like we are doing the same as others on the outside, but God can see if we are doing solid work and building with quality materials that will stand the test. “The shaking time,” the end times will shake us to the very core of our being.
“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.” 1 Corinthians 3:11-13, KJV.
We do not have the strength, or wisdom to do this all alone, but if we stay close to Jesus, who is our building contractor and also supplies the materials and helps with the labor, we will grow firm and strong in him.
Sand also reminds of the desert mirage, a false shimmer that looks like water but leaves you thirsty, no matter how long and hard you chase after it. We should not be fascinated by the false shimmer and glitter of the things worldly pleasures which hold empty promises of happiness. And if our souls are thirsty for the cool waters of God’s love we will not have the strength to work for him effectively.
Helping people to begin seeking “The best things in life” page 198- men and women have hardly begun to understand the true object of life, they are attracted by glitter and show. Life’s best things- simplicity, honesty, truthfulness, purity, integrity- cannot be bought or sold… (these simple, hardy principles are what we should include in our work- they are the values which are a good solid foundation for our character)
2. How can we develop character so that we can reveal Christ, so that we can work as He worked?
Our spiritual life is where we come close to God, speaking with him, reading his words, praying will give us the power and inspiration to work for him. Developing a personal friendship with him and receiving the true love which he longs to give us, is our source of power. We can hold communion with God, He will help us.
We can develop a strong spiritual character through beholding Christ. A little at a time we will come to reflect what we see in him, because it’s so inspiring.
In serving others we will grow spiritually. Only in service to others can true happiness be found. Only those who love to work will find the true joy of life.
Maintaining good health can is part of our character development, as well as enable us to better serve others. The mind, body and spirit are all connected.
3. What is the goal of character development?
“The goal of reform is the highest development of mind, body and spirit.”
And for health ministry, you can accomplish more than you ever dreamed possible. We may not be able to see the results here on Earth, but we can have the calm assurance that our works are recorded in heaven and are having a quietly uplifting influence on Earth.
"I am the vine, you are the branches ; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing . John 15:5
To reflect the likeness of Jesus is kind of like being a telescope focusing on Him, it allows people to see a glimpse of Him and the kingdom of heaven through us, which otherwise seems far away. To become like Christ allows us to reflect His image and reveal him to people on earth.
The perfect telescope has perfect optics inside. Little flaws are the things which dim the vision and make it harder to see through. Jesus can help us purify and cleanse these things so we give the world a clearer view of him.
The more perfect we are, the more we are like Christ. But we don’t need to wait until we are perfect to start working for him. He calls us to get started reaching out to others and serving him from the beginning of our walk with him, it’s the only way to gain strength. The challenges we face in working for him are part of what helps to purify us.
Things to think about：
- What is my goal in life?
- Am I preparing for Jesus soon return?
- How can I use health ministry to help people learn about a loving God?
Ellen White Quotes;
Who was Ellen White? ; Ellen White named by Smithsonian among the 100 most significant Americans of all time ,EGW Link 2
Building on the Rock
Christ illustrated character building by a house built on a rock, against which storm and tempest were powerless, and the house built on the sand, which was swept away. We are living in perilous times. Amidst the changing scenes, with heresy and false doctrines coming in that will test the faith of all, the house built on the solid rock cannot be shaken. But when storm and tempest come, the house built on the sand will fall, and great will be the fall of it. {MM 87.1}
Let us take heed, then, how we build. Let no one build unwisely. The word of God is our only foundation. Every semblance of error will come upon us. Some of these errors will be very specious and attractive, but if received, they would remove the pillars of the foundation that Christ has established and set up a structure of man's building. There are those who seeing, see not, and hearing, hear not, and under Satan's guidance they prepare false foundations for human minds. {MM 87.2}