Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But fornication and impurity of any kind, or greed, must not even be mentioned among you, as is proper among saints. Entirely out of place is obscene, silly, and vulgar talk; but instead, let there be thanksgiving. Be sure of this, that no fornicator or impure person, or one who is greedy (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be associated with them. For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light-- for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord.

-Ephesians 5:1-10 (NRSV)

I had gone to college and moved away from my tiny hometown of three hundred people. Once when I went back to visit, I went to a neighboring small town to shop. I was going to make a purchase and then remembered I had an out-of-state check.

"Will you accept a check from another state?" I asked the clerk. I already had my checkbook open.

She looked at my last name, Bothof, which is not an ordinary name. "Are you John's daughter?" she asked.

"No, I'm Henry's daughter, from Chandler. John is my uncle."

"No problem," she said.

I wrote the check. Because my uncle had built a good reputation, I also was trusted. And my check was good; I did not shame my uncle or my father.

I have another name: Christian. I belong to the family of Christ. Christ built a reputation, and I am to follow in his steps. In my daily life, do I reflect his character? I want people to be drawn to Christ because of me.

Do my daily behavior and my character bring shame or honor to the name Christian?

Diann Bothof Lopez (Arizona, USA)

Prayer Focus

Those I interact with each day