True Character Tests

The Cryptogram puzzle I just solved reads, “No man knows his true character until he has run out of gas, purchased something on the installment plan, and raised an adolescent. Profound enough to trigger a few incidences of character tests I’ve taken.

RUNNING OUT OF GAS Oh boy. Twice in northernIowa, where towns are sparse and once inWyoming, where the distance between gas stations is measured in light years. Thankfully, in all three instances I coasted – that’s right, coasted on an empty tank – up to the gas pumps. True character?  Ha! How about stupid assumptions, like making it to the next town where gas is cheaper? 

INSTALLMENT PLAN PURCHASES We’re familiar with this, especially the ugly side of a lender foreclosure on a home - currently being experienced by one in every 363 home “owners” inFlorida.  Ouch. Total inU.S.in past three years is about 10 million homes. As a Realtor I walk into scores of foreclosures and gasp at the results of angry frustration. Literal war zones, with everything ripped out, torn apart or smashed before the evicted families left their dreams.

RAISED AN ADOLESCENTT hankfully my memory slippage has dimmed some trying teen years, replacing them with many blessed years where our kids are our best friends, giving us wonderful grandchildren.  

However, dare we compare our lives with our Lord’s  – who experienced only three adult years? Yet, was “tempted in every way, just as we are.” [Heb. 4:15]

Running out of gas? Not gas. However, before he was old enough to crawl he was run out of his country when the paranoid King Herod wanted him killed. [Matt. 2]  Later he was run out of his hometown,Nazareth, for teaching God’s purpose for his life. [Luke 4] 

Installment purchases? He owned no home [Matt.8], transportation or wardrobe of clothes, and needed no student loans. Yet he carried no cash or plastic. He had no credit score. What a man.

Raise an adolescent? Not raising them, as in providing for their physical wants – but raising them, as in elevating their value? Definitely YES, “for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” [Matt. 19]  Raising a child from the dead? YES again, more than once – a widow’s son and a ruler’s daughter. [Matt 9, Luke 7]

True character may reveal itself in gas, payments and teens. But running out of gas cannot be compared to being run out of your hometown or country, having done no wrong. Making monthly payments is in a different league than having nothing to pay on, or pay with. Raising kids, though testing, is nothing like raising children from the dead. That’s character beyond comprehension.

From his temptations in the wilderness to his isolation on the cross, Jesus set the standards for true character – ultimately receiving the Father’s “Welcome home.” Love beyond comprehension.