Your Reputation Precedes You

Our reputations, good or bad often precede us. Meaning that people will or may be able to judge or know us even before they meet us.

I've also learnt that reputation can be fact or fiction. 

What comes to your mind when you hear the name Mike Tyson? Do you think of a mighty boxer? I do...

That's reputation.

We all have reputations to keep and we should be proud of the reputations we have; own it.

If it is bad, you still have a chance to make it better. 

Nobody is proud to be called a drunkard, a murderer, a thief, a liar, a prostitute, arrogant or proud. 

Let not your past determine your future. 

Saul was on a serious mission of persecuting Christians. This didn't go well with believers after Saul met Christ. 

When The Lord spoke to Ananaias, Ananaias reminded God of Sauls pasts endeavours.  God had to step in and convince Ananaias that Saul was now Paul; a vessel purposed to spread the Gospel.

I can only imagine what Paul went through. This man couldn't even get close to the disciples at first because everyone was afraid of him. The hate, the doubts, the fear, were just too much. But whom was to blame? His own past... His reputation!!

Saul the proud prosecutor of Christians after becoming Paul had to totally depend on God's guidance. He had to exercise patience so that the disciples and other Christians could trust him as he also repaired his tainted reputation. 

Today, when we take a deeper look at Christianity, two figures come into play; Jesus and Paul.

Paul got  a chance to change his reputation and He couldn't have done it any better.

Proverbs 22:1

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches , and favour is better than silver or gold. 

Matthew 5:16

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

I'm in the process of fixing my past reputation. I want to be known differently.  I'm battling with my own demons, as we all do.

I pray that at the end of it we may be like Paul and proudly say, " I have fought the good fight, I have  finished the race, I have kept the faith." 

(2nd Tim 4:7)