Listen

A good reputation is better than much wealth; high esteem is better than silver and gold. The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord made them both.

Proverbs 22:1-2

Think

When I was little, class lists were posted on the front door of my elementary school. Discovering which teacher I’d have was always a big deal! Did my new teacher have a good reputation of being kind? Or a bad reputation of being unnecessarily harsh?

Now as a teacher myself I wonder, how do I ensure my students know I care deeply about them beyond academics? As a pastor, how do I help others to encounter God’s grace and love for them?

What might we want our reputations to be as we live out our faith in action in our daily lives? If our reputations aren’t what we want them to be right now, how can we change things up? We get some clues in today’s proverb:

Those who sow injustice will harvest evil… Those who love a pure heart—their speech is gracious…

The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord made them both.

Advocating for, loving, embracing, and welcoming others seems like a good list to start revising our reputations!

Molly Logan

Question to Ponder:

Whatever your reputation is, how might God use you today to live out God’s patience, understanding, and care in your world?

Pray

Loving God, thank you for making me and loving me just as I am. Thank you for seeing beyond what the world may deem my reputation to be, claiming me as someone able to live out your grace in action. Help me to have faith in you and myself today for humble service.

Amen.

Go

May God’s compassion and faithful love guide all our actions today!