Regaling Our Reputation
REPUTATIONS ARE LIKE credit. Once ruined, restoring them is complicated.
Greg was a distant cousin and rebel who was somewhat of an idol for seventies
teenagers with rebellious tendencies. He was into the "hippie scene" complete
with long hair, boots, beads, and a Chevy van sporting wide tires, mag wheels
and a custom interior. Greg was also into some of the negative facets of the
movement: disregard for authority, drugs, alcohol and bumming around. He was
popular, but not for honorable reasons. Greg was a rebel with a reputation to
match. Unfortunately, his lifestyle eventually led to premature death.
Reputations have a way of influencing others, and Greg's did me. I couldn't wait
to legally do some of the things he did, have some of the things he had and be
as popular as he was. I followed his footsteps to a degree and got what he had:
a reputation.
A wise man once said; A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of
death better than the day of birth. (Ecclesiastes 7:1)
Reputations are somewhat like character which is built by integrity. Integrity
is doing the right thing when everyone is watching or no one is looking.
Integrity forms character which is who we genuinely are. When guarded and
preserved, good reputations serve us well in the community, our places of
employment and in relationships. When trashed, they do the opposite.
I eventually rebuilt my reputation. It was difficult and took time. Guarding it
initially would have simplified the process. Love, joy, patience, honesty,
kindness, faithfulness, self control, punctuality, dependability are traits of
good reputations. Only careful choices shape reputations characterized by these
qualities, but doing so allows our Jesus lights to shine. And this focuses
others in the right direction.
Have you tarnished your reputation with bad choices? It's never too late to let
God help you rebuild character.
Martin Wiles mandmwiles@homesc.com
Harleyville, South Carolina, USA
www.morningliteministry.com