9.4.7 "I've Heard About You"

"I've Heard About You"

Ecclesiastes 7:1-9:18
2 Corinthians 7:8-16
Psalm 48:1-14
Proverbs 22:17-19

Have you ever just met someone and they say, "Oh yeah, I've heard about you..." and then they just kind of leave it at that? You really wonder what has been said. We usually laugh and say, "Only the good stuff is true..." or some cheesy phrase like that.

Ecclesiastes 7:1 says, "A good reputation is more valuable than costly perfume." At the time Solomon wrote this perfume was a pretty significant luxury for those who were well off. We need to remember that so we don't equate our reputation with our 19 year old bottle of Aqua Velva.

How are you known? What elements of your life do people talk about? What have people seen in you? If you were a "fly on the wall" when you're the topic of discussion, what would be said?

I get a kick out of Ecc. 7:21-22, "Don't eavesdrop on others - you may hear your servant curse you. For you know how often you yourself have cursed others." Basically, "what goes around comes around."

If I had the opportunity to write down what I wish my reputation were, I don't know that I'd include the times I've gotten upset with someone or treated them poorly. I don't know that I'd mention the times I've dropped the ball with responsibilities that were given me. I don't know that I'd mention my jail time... (just kidding... there's no jail time). I'd just want to mention the good stuff.

If only it were so easy to walk up to the counter and sample some "eau de reputacíone" and slap down the cash for the best smelling reputation we could afford. It doesn't work that way. You can't buy the "scent" of your life. You "smell" like you've lived.

A reputation is costly because it is built over time. It's the visible fruit of the hidden labors of your life. Your private disciplines and priorities have set the course for what grows from your life. It's manifest in what people have seen in your consistency, or lack thereof.

Oh how we wish it were based on our intentions. I'm the kind of person who "meant" to send a card. I "meant" to call. I "meant" to be on time. I "meant" to be organized. Our reputation has nothing to do with what we "meant" to do. It is based on what we did.

Too often in life we hope our destination is one thing while we travel on a path toward something else. Ec. 7:29 says, "... God created people to be virtuous, but they have each turned to follow their own downward path." I love to eat bad food, but i desire to look in shape. I want people to respect me, and yet I'm not faithful in my duties.

In prioritizing the "small" disciplines of life, we set the course for being who God created us to be. Stay the course. Be faithful. Honor God in all things.


Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

P Greg


Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ