Daily Thought for Friday, March 18th

March 18, 2011

Reputation

Today’s Thought:

“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”– Jackie Robinson

Today’s Question

Are you aware that, “Life is the sum of all your choices?” –  Albert Camus

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

“Reputation is what men say about you on your tombstone; character is what angels say about you before the throne of God.”

– William Hersey Davis

A reputation can be a critical thing, if you don’t believe me, just ask the person who has a bad one.

A person’s reputation is the essence of what that individual is seen as or perceived to be by others.

It can take a lifetime to build a good reputation and sometimes only a moment to destroy it.  “There are two very difficult things in the world.  One is to make a name for oneself and the other is to keep it.” – Walter Schumann

That is why it is important for us to strive to be consistent in living godly lives.  If we will open our hearts to God, shield our lives by standing in faith and resisting temptations and take care of our character by always doing what is good in the sight of the Lord; we will not have to worry about our reputation.

Scripture tells us, “A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.” – The Bible (Ecclesiastes 7:1)

It seems babies and little children don’t think much about their reputation, but as we move into upper elementary school – towards middle school our reputation seems to garner greater significance.  By high school reputation is everything and as we go through life as an adult most of our success’ or defeats are often attributable to the quality or lack there-of of our reputation.

My Grandfather often said, “I’m only as good as my word – my word is my bond.”

As Christians our reputation is really only as good as our ability to reflect the one we represent.  Anything short of that must sully our reputation somewhat.  But the sadist part of this is, when we don’t represent Him well, not only do we damage our reputation, we also bring shame to His.

And in the end whom do we really want to impress with our reputation: friends, family, coworkers, associates, or God?

Today’s Verses:

My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.  Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 3:1-6

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. The rich and poor meet together: the Lord is the maker of them all. A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.  By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life.

                               Proverbs 22:1-4

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

                        Philippians 2:5-7

Today’s Prayer:

Father, my reputation is really of no consequence to me, but because who I am reflects who I want others to see you to be, help me to have a good reputation that reflects well on You.