finding allies

We've all heard the age-old saying 'Bad company corrupts good morals...' but it's something you never really understand until you experience a test for yourself. This idea has been on my mind a lot; go there with me for a minute.

You're about 7 years old on the playground and let's face it, you're a good kid... Maybe you pick on your little sister, but if it really boiled down to pulling her hair or pounding the guy who was doing it to her, you'd choose to stick up for her. At your heart, you want to do right and you (most often) choose to. But suddenly it's the heat of the moment. Do you join the group that's making fun of the outsider even though you'd betray your own heart?

You're 19. You're new to college life and the freedom/responsibility of being on your own. You're trying to juggle work and play... and even though you have great intentions of one day standing out in your field of study, you inwardly struggle with blending into the crowd on a Friday night.

You're 30 and the occupational 'opportunity of a lifetime' opens up in front of you... as long as you're willing to appease your new boss and blink past a little crack in the ethics you stand for...

We've all been there, and will continue to encounter these situations all throughout our lives. Making the right choice (most often in a split second) can be really difficult. I was talking with a good friend recently who shared that even though they are settled with the person they've become as an adult, and are pleased with their lifestyle choices, there can be a nagging thought in the back of their mind that tries to dictate their behavior; mainly in the area of being accepted, or not being on the outside. This is a common problem. And understandably so, no one wants to feel like they are sticking out like a sore thumb. (But is it really worth violating your own conscience and dealing with the regret later on?)

The respite to this struggle is found in 2 ways. Submitting to Christ, first and foremost - and in aligning ourselves with Godly people who can positively affect our 'good morals.' Proverbs 21:17 says, 'As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of a friend.'

Isn't it true that as you read that verse you can quickly think of a friend or person you know who challenges you to be better? I can think of those that I know and respect whose lives inspire me to focus on developing better character. But the plot thickens... We also must remember that just as we're relying on others to set a good example for us to follow, eyes are on us too. There are people in our spheres of influence who (maybe secretly) watch our lives, our character and our actions.

Living lifestyles that honor God, and point others to Him is a noble work. It's essentially emulating the mantra that Paul had for his life... "Follow me as I follow Christ (1 Cor 11:1)."

Honestly, there's so much more riding on your life's example than your reputation.