Your Actions Tell a Story About Who You Are

Hey, carpool crew. Maybe you're in the car headed to a soccer game, the grocery store, or just running some weekend errands, or maybe you're still in your pajamas eating breakfast at the table. Wherever you are, I'm Pastor Justin, and I'm so glad you're here. All month long, we've been in our series Proverbs for your school life. But guess what? Today's verse isn't just for school. It's for every single day, because this one's about your reputation, how you're known, and that doesn't take weekends off. Here's a verse for today from Proverbs chapter 20, verse 11. Even a young man is known by his actions, by whether his behavior is pure and upright. Solomon wrote this to young people to say, don't wait until you're older to do what's right. People already notice how you act at home, at church, in the neighborhood, even on your sports teams or any clubs you're in, they notice. It's not just about what you say, it's what you do that shows who you are. See, Jesus knew this too, even when he was just 12 years old. People were amazed, not just by his words, but by his behavior. He was kind, respectful, obedient to his parents. He was honest. And this verse reminds us that people don't just listen to your words. They watch your life. You can say you're helpful, but do you step up when there's a mess? You can say you love Jesus, but do your actions show love and patience to others? If Jesus were sitting next to you today at your kitchen table or in the backseat of the car, he might say, I see how you act when no one else is paying attention and that matters. He's not just watching your big moments. He sees the little ones too. See, Jesus cares about who you're becoming as you get older. Imagine two kids in your neighborhood. Both say they're good friends, but one gossips behind people's backs. That means telling stories or spreading rumors. The other includes others and encourages them. He's fun to play with. Which one would you wanna be around more? See, your actions build your name day by day, even on the weekend. So what can you do today? Ask yourself, what do my actions say about me? You can also do the right thing, even when it's not easy, and be kind, helpful and honest even when there's no one there to thank you. Your life tells a story, the decisions you make matter. I remember when I was a kid and I was at TaeKwonDo, I was a yellow belt, and I usually take it pretty seriously. But one day I decided to mess around and my mom pulled me aside after and reminded me that you could spend months or years building a positive reputation and you could watch it all crumble down in a moment with a few bad decisions. That stuck with me my whole life. I want you to remember, no matter where you are or how you're listening, God loves you. And parents, if you like today's episode, share it with some of the parents you know, in a homeschool group or at your church. I love when new people discover Carpooling with Jesus. Now, before you go, let's answer this question together. If someone only watched what you do, not what you say, what would they think about who you are? I'll see you tomorrow on Carpooling with Jesus.