If we played a different game of charades …

You put your hand in the bag and let your fingers dart around, chasing the little slips of paper. Got one! Whoops, no – that’s two. You awkwardly try and flick your fingers to separate the stubborn folded strips, hoping to avoid a paper cut in the process. One strip of paper finally gives up and lets go of the one you want. Finally! You withdraw your hand and glance at the name you just retrieved: Samson.


How do you act out Samson in a game of Bible charades? Well, you’re resourceful and imaginative. Most of the well-known people from the Bible are associated with a particular story or description of their character. Samson was strong. Zacchaeus was short. Mary Magdalene washed Jesus’ feet. Moses was used in the parting of the Red Sea. Deborah was a judge. Jonah ran from God. The list goes on.


And then you stop and think. What if we put my name and your name and the names of everyone we know on slips of paper … and had to act out each other?


Would I be known for being a gossip?
For being an encourager?
For being too sarcastic?
For being a person who prays?
For always being angry or crabby?
For being ready to serve others?
For being a procrastinator?
For always being happy?
For having an attitude?
For being a good friend?
For being proud and stuck up?
For reading the Word of God?


Would a friend act out someone entirely different than the side of me that my family sees?


I Timothy 4:12 “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”


Whether I like it or not, people have impressions of me. I am known by my character. You are known by your character. We are associated with the characters of those that we hang around. Does my character reflect the love of Christ within me?


We are quick to jump on the “We shouldn’t judge people!” and “Don’t judge me!” bandwagon. True. I’m not saying that we should judge each other. But – if someone was put on the spot for a description of my character, what could they say? We each have a reputation. Even a child is known by their doings.


And you know what? Everybody guessed Samson – right away!