Social distancing on the football field in the rain watching my daughter receive her diploma. This was by far the most memorable graduation I have witnessed. Tori passed all the tests and met all the requirements to make that step, only to find that there’s another step…and another…and another…and another.

Keep your character.
Keep your morals.
Keep your spirit.
Keep your sanity.
Keep your finances.
Keep your humor.
Keep moving.
Keep growing.

Every step is an opportunity to be better than you were yesterday. There is no shame in taking a step back or standing on a step for a while to catch your breath. Keep your focus forward and encourage others along the way.

And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.

Genesis 22:1 KJV

“Because I thought” is a dangerous way to make important decisions.

Do the work.
It takes time and effort to know.
Can’t know for sure? Could you get closer than where you are now?

Do the work.
Always bring your best, most informed decision to the table.
Accept the outcome, good or bad, and move on.

And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife’s sake.

Genesis 20:11 KJV

We all agree we will not kill each other. Right?

We all agree we will not steal each other’s stuff. Right?

We all agree to do our fair share of the work. Right?

We all agree to tell each other the truth. Right?

No matter how virtuous the members of a group, the lowest common denominator becomes the absolute. This might sound hopeless but it’s not. Why? Because people can change.

Our duty is to provide a consistent example of “the right way” coupled with empathy. Helping, teaching and leading those that oppose themselves. Do this with love and humility, knowing that in any given group you could be the lowest common denominator.

But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.

Genesis 19:26 KJV

How did I get into the mess that I’m in? 
How did I become the person that I am?
How could I do that to my best friend?

White lies, like Snapchat and Instagram filters, alter the truth just a little bit.

Does it really matter?
You bet it does!
What you do is who you are.

For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

Genesis 18:19 KJV

Even when they come from celebrities.
Even when they come from leaders.
Even when they come from family members.

Bad ideas are just bad ideas.

Discard bad ideas. Next.

And Sarai Abram’s wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.

Genesis 16:3 KJV

If you are wondering what your real values are, look at your actions.
It’s not what you say, it’s what you do.

And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the Lord, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth, [23] That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:

Genesis 14:22-23 KJV

Truth is not created, it is discovered.

When you realize a truth, stake it in your heart and visit it often.

And he went on his journeys from the south even to Beth-el, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Beth-el and Hai; [4] Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the Lord.

Genesis 13:3-4 KJV

Most of the time we are average. This is a good thing. If we were all so different it would be hard to understand each other and make progress. Average is easy. You blend into the crowd and go with the flow.

Occasionally there are outliers. Someone who breaks the curve. They have some quality or ability that makes them stand out. What outliers choose to do with their ability is very important.
Do they spend their life hiding?
Do they spend their life exploiting others?
Do they spend their life using their ability for good?

Would you believe me if I said YOU ARE AN OUTLIER? You have a superpower in a particular area that breaks the curve. If you already know what it is, great! If not, find it and use it for good. You can move us all in the right direction… we’re waiting on you.

So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.

Genesis 12:4 KJV

Our actions make promises and our culture is based on these promises. They establish a framework and a level playing field on which we do business and interact with one another.

What happens to our culture when we adopt a different set of promises? 
If we agree that short term gain is worth more than long term success? 
If we start lying more? 
If we become consumers instead of stewards?
If we decide family is not that important?

Do our lives get better?
Does our society prosper?
Do we love and care for each other?

Actions make promises make culture.
What promises are you making?

And God spake unto Noah, and to his sons with him, saying, [9] And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you;

Genesis 9:8-9 KJV