Thursday, April 23, 2009

What's in Your Reputation?


So here is the second installment from Sunday's message. Reputation. Again, it was a small item in the larger message--but it really hit home.


It was based upon Ephesians 2:10:


For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we may do them. - NET Bible


The works we do and create (our workmanship) are a very personal expression of the who we are and form our reputation with those around us.

We often think about the reputation of us, as a collection of Christ followers called the church. But, how often do we think of our personal reputation and what people think of us? What is our workmanship telling others about us and who we are?


Ideally, we might desire that our reputation as a Christ follower be part of our legacy, but . . .

Reputation--so here is the question that was posed which I want to consider for a bit: IF you were talking with a group of people and left the conversation, what would they think of you? What is your reputation with them?


The considerations here are many--


What is your reputation with your family based upon your interactions (or not) with them? Do you sequester yourself from them with your nose in a book or on a computer when they are around? Is your reputation one of indifference? Or do you interact and stay involved with them?


What is your reputation with your friends? Is it different from your reputation within your family and is this good or bad?


What about your co-workers, superiors and subordinates? Is your reputation there different yet again?


What about those who work for you, like the computer-repair person, the plumber, the auto mechanic, the wait staff at the local restaruant? Based upon what they see and how you interact with them--what is your reputation?


If you have different reputations, perhaps you need to evaluate who you are really and decide what you want people to believe about you.


Hmmmm---I know I have some work to do.


P.S. So as I was reflecting on the idea of reputation, Romans 13:8 popped into my mind:


Owe no one anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law -NET Bible


I want part of my reputation with others to be: He loved!



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