Character, Conviction and Courage

Tonight I watched the memorial service for Dr. Adrian Rogers the former pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis and former President of the Southern Baptist Convention. What struck me about the service this evening was that those who spoke didn't spend much time talking about his accomplishments. They didn't focus on the fact that he was a three time president of the Southern Baptist Convention or that he pastored the 29,000 member Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis.

What was so meaningful was how they focused on the kind of man he was. Everyone spoke of his Character and integrity. They spoke about him being a man of strong convictions in regards to God's Word and God's Purpose for his life. And they spoke about his courage. Dr. Rogers was willing to take strong stands even when it wasn't popular. It is interesting that while his life was surrounded with accomplishments and success what people remember the most is what type of person he was.

It made me re-evaluate some things and ask myself a couple of questions. What am I focusing on? The accomplishments of life or on what kind of person I am? I want to be a person of Character, Conviction and Courage. I need to focus on what kind of person God wants me to be and trust God to provide the rest.