I love the times when I learn from my children. Today is one of those times. I often learn as we discuss the trials and temptations of budding adulthood. I often learn as we just deal with the things in our own lives. But today, I learned while discussing an assignment from Bible.
I don’t want to talk much about what we learned, that is for my child to keep pursuing and discovering. But as I was writing about it, the Spirit led me down a path of my own. It put into perspective some trials and temptations that I have been facing.
I have been in a little hot water lately. I approached a situation naively, perhaps not seeking wisdom first. I learned that my reputation may not be as intact as I thought it was. “But they know who I am, why wouldn’t they just ask me,” I think I may have lamented. I don’t have a bad reputation, but perhaps I have no reputation at all. Doesn’t God call us to have good reputations?
A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,
and favor is better than silver or gold.
 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Pr 22). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
So I have prayed about this. I have pulled out my Bible to look into this. Where should I be concerned about my reputation?  Have I taken a wrong turn somewhere? How badly have I missed the mark?
After I studied this morning, I feel better about where I am, and I do feel I have acted with wisdom and integrity.  Proverbs 22 says a good reputation is more important than riches. I act with integrity, serving others, and do my best to stay in God’s will for my life, not acting out of selfish ambition. I do not boast, but have let my reputation be built based on my actions to serve others as recommended in Mt 6 and Mt 23. Serving God leads to a bad reputation among non-believers (and little-believers) as can be seen with Ac 17, 1 Ki 19, and Lk 23. Jesus was accused of misleading the nation. Also, a good reputation is not as important as a good heart, as we see in Rev 3. Having a reputation of being alive does not mean you are not dead.
I am sure I could do many things much better. I thank God for the wisdom he has given me to navigate troubled waters. He is my protector. I praise him that I can go to his Word and have peace even during the storm.