"A good name is to be chosen over great wealth;
favor is better than silver and gold."
-Proverbs 22:1

Susie and Sally were twins. Both were great athletes, both went to church and both had a choice to make. After one game, the girls went to a party where "everyone" was there. The party got pretty crazy, and throughout the night Susie and Sally were offered many things.

They both had choices to make.

Many athletes today say they follow Christ, but don't live a lifestyle that sets a believer's example. Fame sets in, and Christ takes a backseat, or worse, gets stuffed in the trunk and is never taken out again. These athletes choose living in the world's view of success rather than in God's view. God asks us to choose "right" living and maintain a good reputation and good character. Whether we believe it or not, it is far better to be sanctified than sinful, righteous than rich, convicted (spiritually) than cool, and prayerful than popular.

Susie said no to everything she was offered.  She continued to play well and was offered a full athletic scholarship to a great school.

Sally took another path. She thought that in order to be accepted by everyone, she had to fit in. Sally not only lost her reputation, but was eventually caught and dismissed from her team for misconduct. Two sisters, two choices, two results. Today, which choice will you make?

Would you rather have a good reputation and a few losses, or a bad reputation and a national championship ring?

Do you lower your standards to try to fit in?

Today, how can you start choosing to maintain a good reputation over anything this world has to offer?

Read
Proverbs 3:3-6; Ecclesiastes 7:1a; Colossians 3:17; Titus 1:15-16
 

In Jesus' name, Amen.