After being hit by many
scams and corruptions at high places recently we are now being looked down as a
reckless nation by the world community.
At this hopeless time I think we can be still hopeful of a better tomorrow
because we have a youth force. I can
recall what Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam once said that “the great challenge of
transforming India can be achieved through youth which has got the power of
ideas, ambition and ability. This resource of the youth is an important
building block for transforming India into a developed nation.”
Realizing the
responsibilities by present youth force was seen during the Anti-Corruption
movement all over the country recently. Corruption
and Black Money are the burning topics but the youth need to ask themselves
whether the answer is getting the money back or is it important to eradicate
the root cause from where this comes. The
vision of a corruption free India is definitely possible if we can build right
character in our young people.
In the church we have
always emphasized on building character of our young people. It is a process and it takes time to build
character and the right direction is needed in order to build good
characteristics. Through life experience, perseverance and commitment one is
able to build good character to become a better person. This is application
when we talk about building leaders for change as building good character is
needed in order to become a great leader for only then can one lead effectively
and change the world.
Through observation of
role models and good teachers, one can learn their characteristics and apply it
to oneself. Through books and Holy Scriptures, one can be inspired and build
good characteristics from his/her favorite characters. If one understands the
concept of “what you do to others, others will do to you“, s/her will be more
cautious of his/her action. Gifts can be born with but good character is
developed from.
How do we build good character?
It is very important
and a great blessing to develop a good character. Now, how can a young person
secure it? How can it be obtained? This
is a question, worthy of our serious consideration. We must build good
character. This is certain; a good character cannot be inherited. It cannot be
purchased with money. It cannot be obtained by merely wising for it. The desire for a thing does not secure it. We
can obtain only that which we labor for. It is what we seek through hard labor
that we truly deserve.
The process of
character formation starts and is rooted in our Thoughts. What we think about
determines our kinds of Actions or deeds. When we repeat the same action it
becomes a habit. Scripture says, “Finally,
brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever
things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be
any praise, think on these things. Those
things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me,
do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9.
Our settled habits,
good or bad, shape and solidify our character. To build good character we need
to work on our thoughts, actions and habits because our Thought becomes Action,
our repeated Action becomes our Habit and our Habit, when it is settled,
becomes our Character. We build the
edifice of our character by working diligently every moment and everything. It comes by laying one stone upon another,
until it finally becomes something splendid piercing the heavens so that all
could see our character. Somebody has
said that ‘a good name must be built up by good deeds, faithfully and
habitually performed during the affairs of daily living.’ We need to fix our eyes upon the prize of a
good reputation. This is the only end worth striving for in life. It requires
us to turn away from all evil practices and to run away from corrupt associates
and bad companions. We need to patiently and faithfully lay the foundations of our
virtuous habits. When we do this our action gets the result. By building our character we help building up
our nation. May we have the character of
Christ as we strive to follow him and do His will!
Kasta Dip
