Stand Up

This is another great church bulletin thing from Father's Day. I just love stories like this!

Jack Eckerd was a businesmann, the founder of Eckerd Drug stores. In the 1980s, he became a Christian thanks to a friend, Chuck Colson. After his conversion, he walked into one of his stores, down the books and magazines aisle. The first thing that caught his eye- Playboy and Penthouse magazines. When he went back to his office, he called the president of the comany and said, "Take those magazines out of the stores." The president reminded Eckerd that those magazines make the company $3 million a year. Still, Eckerd wanted them out. So, in 1700 stores across America, by one man's decision, those magazines were removed. His heart was truly changed by Christ. His friend Colson called him and asked to use the story. He asked Eckerd, "Did you do that because of your commitment to Christ?" Eckerd replied, "Why else would I give away $3 million? The Lord wouldn't let me off the hook." Eckerd later wrote letters to all the drugstore operators, all the other chains and requested they also remove such magazines from their stores. Not one person answered him. He wrote more letters. Meanwhile, Eckerd stores had more customers, simply because the pornographic magazines were gone. Other stores took notice and removed them as well. All the while, the presidential porography commission was meeting in Washington, debating what to do, trying to develop recommendations for the president to consider stemming the tide of pornography. During this, 5000 7-11 stores also removed the magazines. The chairman of 7-11 happened to sit on Eckerd's board of directors and gave into the requests to pull the magazines. In a period of 12 months, 11,000 retail stores in America removed Playboy and Penthouse. They didn't do it because of a law, but because one man was committed to honoring Christ.
~ paraphrased

Whether it be Christian convictions or environmental rights or whatever we feel stongly about, how often do we really stand up for it? Do we keep it to ourselves, just living our lives? Or do we hold someone accountable for their choices too? Do we think we can't make a change in this world because we're just a regular person? Are we too scared of what people will think to do what we know is right?

I'm trying to live my life in such a way that is honoring to God. But, I'm human, and I sometimes fail Him. In my human-ness, I've hurt people's feelings. I've been scrutinized unfairly because I profess to be a Christian. People forget Christians aren't perfect. I'm going to keep doing what I know is right, trying to honor God in my words and my actions. I'm going to stand up for what I believe in. I'm going to make choices that show I won't compromise my beliefs. I want my family and my God to be proud of me.

What will you stand up for?