A Good Reputation

I was 12 years old when I first read Proverbs 22:1. In the King James it says, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches.” At first I thought it was talking about my actual name, but then I found out it was talking about my reputation. I remember spending a lot of time thinking about this verse. I decided then that not only did I want a good name, I wanted my name associated with the word “excellence”. As I imagined what that would look like and require, I began to think about how I needed to be intentional about my actions in every area of my life. In serving God, I needed to make sure I lived my life the way Paul described in the New Testament. I needed to follow whatever God said. I knew everything about my reputation would begin right there. I needed to live up to the name “Chris” which means, “bearer of Christ.”

In 1 Samuel 13, Saul was the king of Israel. He quickly gained a reputation as a warrior when he attacked a garrison of Philistines who were oppressing Israel. The people quickly lined up to fight with him and revolt against their oppressors. However, they weren’t going to just walk away without a fight. They mustered their whole army to attack, and Saul began to panic. Samuel, who must have had a reputation for being late, had told Saul to wait seven days and he would sacrifice to God for victory. When he was later, Saul began to worry about what others thought and he offered the sacrifice exposing who he really was. He wanted to have man think more highly of him than God. It wasn’t long before God decided to take the kingdom away from him. He couldn’t be trusted with it in God’s eyes.

Ephesians 5:15-17 says, “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do” (NLT). God has entrusted the Kingdom of Heaven to us. We need to be intentional in how we live and represent it. Ask God what He wants you to do, how to live and to help you make the most of each opportunity He gives you. Understand that God looks at the heart while people look at behaviors. God doesn’t hold our past against us when we seek forgiveness while people hold it over our heads. Because Jesus has given you a Robe of Righteousness, you have the name above every name attached to you in God’s eyes. People see that too. Seek God’s plan for your life, then be intentional with your decisions and you will bear His name well.

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