A Good Name

“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.”(Proverbs 22:1)

Hello, my friend…

Today I want to share with you for the next few minutes how important it is for us to have a good reputation – a good name.

Like it or not, your name often goes before you. Think about it. Whom do you know that comes from what some call a “bad” family? You know, the town ruffians, the drug dealers, the drunks, the family from the south side of the tracks? When you are told so-and-so from that family is going to be holding a public event, how do you picture that event going? Is it going to end in a free-for-all, a drunken party, a shoot out, trash all over the streets, the cops being called, or do you picture it being a high-society, formal dress affair? In like manner, if the high society in your town are hosting an event, do you think they are welcoming to the Harley-riding, whiskey-drinking, dope-smoking crowd, or are they shooting for a little more class? While this may be an over-generalization, it holds true the majority of the time and, sadly, it all comes back to the hosts and supporters that planned it from the beginning.

Here in the Midwest part of America we have an old saying that “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” We often call a child “a chip off the old block.” Whether you go for the nature or nurture side of the development and growth argument, the simple fact remains that we become like those around whom we grew up. In more modern times, business training has taught us that we become like the five people with whom we associate. Notice I didn’t say we CAN become or we MIGHT become. Sociologists have pretty much proven we DO become like those we hold dear and hang around. Their thoughts (either individually or as a group) tend to influence our thoughts. Our thoughts become our beliefs. Those beliefs influence our behavior. Our behavior forms habits and lifestyles. Those habits and lifestyles directly affect our position and success in life.

Just today I was told of my name being mentioned to someone and they replied, “I think I know him, but I’m not sure.” As the conversation continued, suddenly he looked up and said, “Wait a minute! Was his mom’s name Viola?” Once that was confirmed, he went on to talk about what a name my mom had in our hometown (and I must say it was not good). By the same token, anyone that asks if my dad’s name was Leroy has a totally different view about my family. Everyone loved my dad. Not so much mom. Now, please hear me out. I loved my dad and mom – it was just different with them. Dad worked as a blue-collar worker almost his entire life. Up until he and mom got married, his life was truly a tragic story. His life had been hard. Instead of allowing that to make him bitter, however, dad was a very caring and loving man. He was hard on me – often to the point of abuse – but he was doing the best he could. Leroy Todd was loved, therefore I was loved. Viola Todd – ummm – not so much, so my character immediately comes into question.

What does that all have to do with our verse today? Everything! We are not only judged by our family background, but also by the people we have in our lives. I’m sure you have also heard the saying that “birds of a feather flock together” – meaning that people of the same character and behavior (or beliefs) associate and bond with others of the same type. What is your type? Even in the church we have types! We have the serving, loving, caring type. We have the rigid, cold, judgmental type. We have the playful, fun, lighthearted type. We have the staunch, crotchedy, all-business type. We have the visionaries, the ones who are willing and anxious to change with the times (not the message, but the methods) – music type, preaching style, dress codes, etc. Then we have the ones who wouldn’t change a thing over the past two hundred years because “we’ve never done it that way before!” Please understand – we need all of these types. Each has its strengths and weaknesses. But we need every one of them in order to both hold the line on doctrinal positions and to achieve an active and effective outreach in the community. Again I would ask you: where do you fit in? Or have you chosen to opt out and refuse to attend or fellowship because you see different ones and automatically label them as fakes?

I would also like to point out that, as adults, we have the ability and responsibility to choose for ourselves how we walk out our Christian walk. Even though I grew up in a negative household (for the most part), I can choose to become a positive person. I can choose to change my beliefs and behaviors based upon my understanding of the Word of God and His will for my personal life. When the end of days comes and I stand before the Throne of God I will NOT be asked about what family I came from. I will NOT be asked about the civic organizations to which I belonged. I will NOT be asked what church I attended or how I feel about certain doctrinal issues that often divide us. I WILL, however, be judged by my association with and acceptance of Jesus Christ as my Savior and my Lord. My name is written either in the Lamb’s Book of Life, or it is not. I will not get into heaven because my dad was a pastor (if that is your case) or my mom led a Bible-study group or a woman’s prayer group. I won’t gain automatic entry into heaven because I attend Pastor So-and-So’s church. I will stand or fall strictly upon my own actions and my own choices.

I am proud to say I am a child of God. He is my eternal Father. Yes, Leroy was my earthly father, but he didn’t die for my sins. He died, to be sure, but it wasn’t for my salvation. I choose to associate with brothers and sisters who believe in Christ, I choose to assemble myself together with other Christians – whether they be Pentecostal, Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, or whatever. If they have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord, then they are my brother or sister. Period. If I truly become like the five people with whom I most associate, then I choose to associate with positive, Bible-believing, God-fearing men and women. I need you. I covet your prayers as a pastor. I need wisdom and guidance as I counsel people in their lives. I need the Presence and leading of the Holy Spirit in my life just as you do. And I need God’s protection always because of some of the situtations I get entangled in with my ministry.

Today I am thankful for my good name and my reputation in God. It has come at a great price (as it does with all of us) and with a lot of pain, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. What about you, my friend? Prayerfully consider as we walk into the future together.

Be blessed.