Be noble in every thought and in every deed.

Longfellow

The American College Press Dictionary defines the word noble as, "Of an exalted moral character or excellence". So when Longfellow was enjoining us to be noble, he was in effect telling us to have an exalted moral character and excellence in whatever we think or do. This sets the bar high!

When we pause to consider the type of world we live in, we have to admit that nobility is becoming a scarce commodity. From the daily newspapers to the weekly tabloids, from talk radio to the evening news, it seems that all we hear about anymore is greed, corruption and scandal. And we become numb!

May I suggest that we do something to change this? As parents, we need to set the bar high. Our children need to know that the bare minimum expectation for their lives is an exalted moral character. Our employees need to know that their job description is excellence. Our politicians, policemen and school teachers need to know that we will accept nothing less than  conduct that is noble in every thought and every deed.

Easy to say, isn't it? Obviously this type of expectation for others can only be had by those willing to hold themselves to the same standard. We will have to be honest and courageous and considerate - and everything else that honorable duty demands. It is not a standard for the moral weakling, so our daily quest for nobility will have to be enforced by generous doses of God's Word and of daily prayer.

We can achieve excellence in our lives, but it will take noble plans. Such plans do not just come from any old source - they must come from a noble heart!

The noble man makes noble plans and by noble deeds he stands.

Isaiah 32:8