26 October | Youth
«And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.» Romans 5:3-4
Years ago, I participated with the King’s Heralds quartet in a program in the United States. In the middle of the week, we visited the Luray Caves, in northern Virginia. I was impressed by the beauty and grandeur of that place, discovered in 1878 by five local residents. The cave is 2.4 kilometers long and has an immense number of stalactites and stalagmites, of varying sizes and colors ranging from gold to light green.
What caught my attention the most was knowing that all those rock formations were built drop by drop, from the sedimentation and crystallization of minerals dissolved in the water. Over the years, those stones shed “tears” and then began to have their contours reflected in beautiful natural pools that looked more like mirrors.
At the end of the hike, we were surprised by music produced by an electronic organ connected to the stalactites. Added to the acoustics of that underground hall, we heard truly “cavernous” sounds! We were so excited that we asked the guide permission to sing the song “I am Going to Heaven” a cappella. Based on the reaction of the other tourists, everyone liked it.
When I left that place, I kept thinking that character building occurs in a comparable way to the formation of caves. Like a great underground castle, the character is formed day after day, “drop by drop,” until a perennial structure is created. Ellen White stated that “the formation of character is the work of a lifetime, and it is for eternity” (Child Guidance, p. 162). Just like those calcite rocks, our character is formed by the “drip” of our thoughts, actions and habits that we cherish throughout our lives. Along this path, there are tears and tribulations. But if we constantly look to Jesus, our hearts will be filled with the beauties of His grace.
How have you been building your character? What kind of “stones” have you been making? What is beneath your surface? Ask God to mold your character into His image. This way, you will reflect good things and make pleasant sounds.