Look Your Best, Do Your Best, Be Your Best

I listen to Dr. Charles Stanley on the way to work most days. I have heard in his sermons this phrase – look your best, do your best, be your best. His messages relate this phrase to the Christian life. I was thinking how that same message is what we are striving toward in out scouting troop.

Look Your Best – We expect each scout to be in full scout uniform, to wear their uniform proudly and to take proper care of how they present themselves. The uniform has many aspects. The word uniform is defined as distinctive clothing worn by members of a particular group; not varying; having the same form or manner. We are all part of one team. The symbolism in various parts of the uniform shows the desires of scouting – learning about truth, acquiring knowledge, being lead in the right path to name just a few. Check out the first few pages of the scout manual to see the importance of the uniform.

Do Your Best – This is one of the foundations of scouting. Each time a scout or scouter says the Scout Oath, he or she is promising to do their best in their duties to God, helping others and to themselves. To do our best is in all aspects of our lives – scouts, work, school, activities, etc. I see so many today that want to just do the bare minimum to get by, to get the box checked. I think we need to strive to do the very best we can in every activity. I saw a shirt at a summer camp one year that said “Maximum Effort, Maximum Pride.” I do not think this is the pride of being puffed up, but to know that you have given everything you’ve got in the effort and are satisfied with the results.

Be Your Best – This speaks to each person’s character. To be trustworthy, courteous, kind, reverent (and the other points of the Scout Law) is to have the character of a person others want to be around; to be a servant leader; one who is dependable and a person of their word. This is what we desire for our scouts, to be much different than the normal teenager in today’s society. To be the person whose character and actions are honorable and respected. To be the young person who will stand out in a crowd because of their character and the way they conduct themselves.

I believe scouting has impacted many of the young men who have been in our troop over the years, making them better individuals. I am thankful for being just a small part of the influence on these scouts and for the working relationships we have had among the many adults to provide a quality program.

Gary Lueking
Asst. Scoutmaster

Troop 451