Character -- Integrity

One of my friends includes a statement made by Krister Stendahl at the bottom of her e-mails: "One can acquire everything in solitude: except character." At times those words haunt me.

You see, I thrive in solitude. My soul yearns for prolonged silence where there is time and space when my swirling thoughts and emotions can settle into prayer. Free from concern of how my demeanor effects others, I can be totally receptive to whatever it is that God is offering. And God's offering to me is abundant and varied.

There are times, in solitude, when I experience deep healing...I may weep or sigh as I linger in God's loving massage of my soul. At other times, in solitude, I may receive glimpses of clarity about words or thoughts...questions and possible answers...and I can linger with those glimpses. I try them on for size, so to speak, and gently, even playfully, wonder how I might blend the glimpses with the situations I face. I am drawn into deep gratitude and I am compelled to offer words of praise and thanksgiving upon the "altar" of my day.

Stendahl's words remind me that nothing that I receive in solitude can reach its fullness unless I go out to places and spaces where I connect with the "other". Whatever I receive in solitude has limited meaning unless it contributes in some way to promote universal harmony and peace. The gifts of solitude won't expand and be integrated into life if they are not expressed in some way. So God calls me from solitude to be an instrument of His blessing to others.


It's not always easy, of course. Sometimes those connections with others (ie, my neighbors, brothers and sisters) have areas of tension, even discord. But it is in relating to the "other" that the peace and love of God REALLY are manifest in my character.

Jesus said that I am to seek reconciliation (whole and healthy relationships) with others before offering my thanksgiving and praise.

Ah yes... so easy to bask in God's peace when I am apart from others. Much more challenging, to be an instrument of that peace in the presence of the unknown, the folks I fear, or the ones who for some reason or other move against my grain. As I engage with others there are endless opportunities to act or speak in ways that reflect whatever healing or clarity or glimpses of wisdom I have received from God.

In other words the "others" are the ones who really complete the "character development" initiated by God.

God provides, and calls for integration ... character... in the deepest sense.