February 25
A Night
at the Movies
“Then you will find favor and a good name in the eyes of God and people.”
Proverbs 3:4, NIrV
Danny strode into the cinema with his usual confidence, surrounded by his closest friends. They laughed as they debated which film to watch, and Danny, as always, made the final decision. He loved being the center of attention—the one everyone looked to for leadership, humor, and charm.
As they waited for the movie to start, Danny shared a story about his recent promotion at work. His friends clapped and cheered, but Danny could tell their enthusiasm wasn’t as genuine as he had hoped. One of them, Ryan, muttered under his breath, “Here we go again.”
Danny’s smile faltered, but he brushed it off. He wasn’t going to let a stray comment ruin the night. Yet, as the movie played, Ryan’s words echoed in his mind. He began to replay other moments in recent weeks—how his jokes sometimes fell flat or how his friends seemed distant during their conversations.
After the movie, Danny brought it up casually as they walked to their cars. “Hey, Ryan, what did you mean earlier?”
Ryan hesitated but then spoke honestly. “Danny, you’re a great friend, but sometimes it feels like everything’s about you. It’s hard to keep up when you’re always trying to one-up everyone.”
Danny’s first instinct was to defend himself, but something stopped him. As the others nodded quietly, he realized they felt the same way.
Later that night, Danny sat alone in his living room, their words weighing heavily on him. He grabbed his Bible—a gift from his grandmother that he rarely opened—and flipped through it aimlessly. His eyes landed on Proverbs 3:4:
“Then you will find favor and a good name in the eyes of God and people.”
Danny paused. His friends’ favor and respect weren’t things he could demand or manipulate. They were built on humility, kindness, and integrity—qualities he had neglected in his pursuit of being admired.
He closed the Bible and prayed for the first time in years. “God, I’ve been so focused on myself that I’ve hurt the people I care about. Help me change. Teach me to be a better friend—one who listens, supports, and loves like You do.”
In the weeks that followed, Danny made a conscious effort to put his friends first. He listened more, shared less about his own accomplishments, and even apologized for past behavior. Slowly, he noticed a difference—not only in how they treated him, but in how he felt. For the first time, Danny understood what it meant to have genuine favor, both with God and with people.
Prayer:
Thank You for teaching me the value of humility and genuine relationships.
Like Danny, I sometimes focus too much on myself and forget to honor the people You’ve placed in my life.
Help me to build a good name by living with integrity and kindness.
Show me how to love others the way You love me—with patience, understanding, and grace.
Thank You for Your forgiveness and for always giving me another chance to grow.
May my life reflect Your goodness in every relationship.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
