How Do Others See You?

 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will - Romans 12: 2.
 

 

If you could be a fly on the wall and listen in on your friends speaking about you, what do you think they would be saying? Or, like a commercial of not so long ago, what do you want on your tombstone? I heard this joke about a man who was given the name "Odd" by his parents at birth. This name caused him a lot of teasing during his growing-up years and affected his self-esteem. "Odd" eventually got married and he said to his wife, "When I die, don't write my name on my tombstone, just the year of my birth and the year of my death." He died and his wife followed his instructions. When people passed near his grave, they looked at it, saw no name and remarked, "That's odd."

I hope that brought a chuckle out of you, but seriously, what do you think others say about you behind your back? Do they say you are smart, good-looking, kind, genuine, and fun to be around, or do they say just the opposite? I know there are some people who never have anything good to say about anyone else. After all, the Pharisees found a lot of fault with Jesus, but right-thinking people are usually accurate in summing up someone's character.

As Christians, our Christianity does not begin on Sunday morning and end Sunday night. We have to be circumspect at all times. I once heard a woman address a waitress at a church banquet in such a harsh manner I hung my head in shame. Remember, people are watching us. They see us all dressed up on Sunday morning, Bible in hand, getting into our cars. They also see us at the supermarket, at work and other places. But more important, Jesus is also watching. He sees everything we do, hears everything we say, and He holds us to a higher standard. We represent Him every day. Let's not make Him hang His head in shame.