Showing posts with label Respect. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Respect. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Perceptions Matter?

Proverbs 22:1 says "A good name is more desirable than riches, Favor better than silver and Gold"

That is an easy one to memorize friends, you never know when having a scripture in memory will help in difficult situations.

But what is it saying? we are often taught not to care what others think, to live our life and shout things like "YOLO!!!" when we do something questionable. There are so many people that are so hard to please that we should just not even worry about it. Because if someone doesn't like something I do then I can just accuse them of being judgmental  and then they are the ones who are guilty in Gods eyes... Right? Isn't that the way it works?

Lets look a little closer at what this passage says. A good name is more desirable than riches. Most of us work our entire lives to get bigger and better stuff, to build a more "secure" life and we do that by trading time for money as often as possible and for as much as possible. Some choose to invest or own their own business. Either way though we spend a considerable amount of our lives working toward attaining those little pieces of silver and gold. So if we spend that much time and energy on working for money, can we stand to spend a little effort on our perception?

We could have the deepest content of character. But in a moment of silliness or weakness, we could change the way we are perceived by others, and no longer will our words carry the respect they might deserve. It would be great if the world did not operate on perceptions or judgments. But perceptions do matter, and scripture give very clear instruction that we should not run from this fact but embrace it.

In 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 Paul talks about using his freedom in Christ to become "like" others that he may save them. So be careful with who you are and how you are perceived. Be aware that our goal as Christians is to spread the love and grace of Jesus Christ but that no one will believe the message if they view us as judgmental liars.

Everything we do reflects on who we are. So, be careful with what you reflect because it projects to all you associate with. Your friends, family, your race, your gender, your church, your Jesus are all represented by you. Are you adding to your good name? Are you at least trying?

We all mess up and that is OK. The trick is to know that we all do and continue trying to live a consistent life showing love and mercy to all and doing your absolute best to live up to who you say you are.

As Always thanks for your time and giving this a read. If you enjoyed it share it with friends, you can do so easily with one of the buttons below. I pray that you will embrace life in the Love and Grace offered to you through Jesus Christ, and that you will always remember Jeremiah 29:11.  – For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, Plans to Proper You and not for harm, Plans with Hope for the Future.