"Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents.”—Philippians 1:27-28

Ashton Kutcher did something polarizing this week. He posted a video of Frank Stephens to his Facebook page. Stephens is a Special Olympian born with Down's Syndrome and in the video Ashton posted, he is testifying before Congress, a moment captured in 2017. You wouldn't think a video of this kind would be so polarizing since the testimony was so heartfelt, honest, and compelling. It's one man, testifying that his life matters even though in the sight of the world he was born with a genetic "disorder." Yet Kutcher's post was applauded and heckled. Applauded by those who are pro-life and heckled by those who are pro-choice. What we learn from these moments is that we all at some point might have to take a stand. A that stand that may produce applause or heckles. Right or wrong the applause and heckles really don't matter if we believe and embrace the truth—but they can be powerfully persuasive in a way that keep us from speaking up and standing up. In this moment of indifference remember that sometimes, you might be forced with a choice, a moment to take a stand. But forget the applause and heckles, forget the crowd, just do what is right in God's sight so that whether people are "present or absent, they may hear that you are standing firm."

DO THIS: Forget the crowd and take a stand.

PRAYER: God, today I need to take a stand. Give me courage. May the voices of the world fade. May I only hear your truth and respond.