Rise to the Top

I am a fan of reality T.V. not becuase of its uplifting of humanity, or the great values it teaches, but mainly because I get to learn new games for youth group. The conniving and manipulation that happens on these shows is astounding, but every so often someone will rise up and play the game in a new way. A way that is counter-culture to the way the game is supposed to be played.

The bible says in 1 Peter 12:11-12
Friends, this world is not your home, so don't make yourselves cozy in it. Don't indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they'll be won over to God's side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives."

In the Game of Big Brother 9 one such character rose to the final four. Her name is Sharon Obermueller. Despite there being an alliance on the show known as the bible buddies, aka Team Christ, Sharon stood head and shoulders above the rest as a true Christian woman. Where Team Christ sat around using the bible to bash the "evil doers" of the show, Sharon calmly and patiently sat on the block five times in a row.

Sharon made it to the final four but because she wouldn't make a deal that would make her betray her secret alliance, she was evicted. She left the show with such grace a dignity that people have to see her as the true Christian of the show. This goes to show that you don't have to beat the bible over someones head to prove your a Christian, It is truly demonstrated in your actions.

Another reality show had a loser this year that completely won my heart by the end of the show. In Celebrity Apprentice Trace Adkins rose to the top. In fact he came in second. This man worked hard, tried hard, and never gave up. His actions spoke louder than his words. He lost because he didn't have the multi-millionaire connections, but still raised a ton of money for his cause. His cause is The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (click to donate), which he chose because his daughter deals with severe food allergies.

It is said that "Actions speak louder than words." I hope and pray you know the words to say when people ask you what you believe in, but more than that I pray that you are living those words out in your life. No matter what the moral downfall of a show or culture; someone of true character, with a true Christian Identity, can rise up by his/her actions.