Reputation
I don’t always know what others think of me. Perception is stronger than reality at times. I had to make hard decisions weighing the outcome based on internal factors. When the decisions are viewed from the outside, they might look bad on my reputation. I can’t always control my reputation, but I can always control my behavior. I what my character to stay strong and connected to truth of God’s Word. I want all of my behavior to reflect my character as a Christ-follower.
It’s interesting to follow the life of David while he is a hunted man. King Saul has a deep hatred of him because Saul knows David is going to be his successor instead of one of his own sons. David had the opportunities to take out Saul on more than one occasion, but his character wouldn’t allow it. David is now living in the Philistine country under King Achish. The Philistine kings are about to go into battle against Saul and the Israelites army. Check this out…..
2 As the Philistine rulers were leading out their troops in groups of hundreds and thousands, David and his men marched at the rear with King Achish. 3 But the Philistine commanders demanded, “What are these Hebrews doing here?”
And Achish told them, “This is David, the servant of King Saul of Israel. He’s been with me for years, and I’ve never found a single fault in him from the day he arrived until today.”
4 But the Philistine commanders were angry. “Send him back to the town you’ve given him!” they demanded. “He can’t go into the battle with us. What if he turns against us in battle and becomes our adversary? Is there any better way for him to reconcile himself with his master than by handing our heads over to him? 5 Isn’t this the same David about whom the women of Israel sing in their dances,
‘Saul has killed his thousands,
and David his ten thousands’?” (1 Samuel 29:2-5 NLT)
I suspect that David would not fight against his fellow Israelites. He had obviously been so trustworthy that the King he lived under didn’t suspect him of anything. David’s reputation was growing and he was known as a warrior even among his enemies.
I want to be faithful to the Lord every day of my life. I want that to be my reputation. I want my reputation to go ahead of me. I want my love for the Lord to continually guide my decision making as a husband, Dad, friend and businessman. Sometimes I’m faced with a decision that either choice on the table before me tarnishes my reputation. I know the Lord and the Lord knows my heart – He will help me navigate that part of my journey as well. I think every activity of my day is either building my reputation or tearing it down.
Pressing On!
Dwayne