Good Reputation

I learned at a young age the value of a good reputation. My parents had a good reputation in the community where we lived. They lived their lives willing to help others at a moment’s notice. They trained their family well. To this day, they still have a reputation of kindness in our community.

A good reputation is part of my character. If I intentionally mistreat someone or misrepresent the truth, my reputation is harmed. I believe it takes years to build a good reputation and it can be destroyed in seconds.

Ruth had made a commitment to go with Naomi to help her. She pledged to go wherever Naomi went and to do what Naomi did.  She was more like a daughter to Naomi than a daughter-in-law. Her good reputation of love and kindness preceded her. Check this out…..

¹⁰ Ruth fell at his feet and thanked him warmly. “What have I done to deserve such kindness?” she asked. “I am only a foreigner.”

¹¹ “Yes, I know,” Boaz replied. “But I also know about everything you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband. I have heard how you left your father and mother and your own land to live here among complete strangers. ¹² May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.” (Ruth 2:10-12 NLT)

Boaz had noticed her work ethic, then he learned of her character, because he had heard of how she loved and served Naomi. Boaz also blessed her with his harvest, and he spoke a blessing over her from the Lord.

I was reminded that the activities of my day continue to build my reputation or dismantle it. My reputation is who I say that I am actually lived out.  Talk is cheap, but actions speaks clearly, and the volume of good actions is up. My daily journey with the Lord should reveal itself in my reputation.

Pressing On!

Dwayne