It’s funny how reputation works. Some people believe true things about you. Others believe what they want.
Yesterday I had an interesting parallel situation occur…let me tell you about it. I hope it sets you free. I hope in this story you find the ability to let go and not be bothered by other people’s interpretations of you.
One of my kids ran into someone that I was friends with once. This person was a fairly close friend for a season, then she disappeared. She got a new job and with that came new busyness. I also left the church we were going to so we didn’t see each other there anymore. She stopped coming to things I invited her to join. It was hurtful, a bit, but she drew away. We’ve all been through this type of thing. I’ve learned that when someone pulls away, it’s best to let them. Just release them and move forward.
When my child saw this person, the person came up and confronted her about if we were actually going to move. She roughly said that I’d told her we were moving then just went on. It wasn’t true. Not at all. My poor child was hurt by the person’s attitude toward me. Which, in turn, made it hurtful for me.
I told my child that people develop their own view of things, especially after time has passed. It’s been a couple of years, and this person saw things that didn’t exist. But it’s ok, because sometimes that happens. It doesn’t change the truth, though.
Then last night I got a message from another friend. They had run into someone who began recounting a time that I’d been speaking and prophesying at their church. He told of how God used the word I spoke to really move in his life. I don’t even remember this instance, but I trust it’s true.
I felt the nudge of God. “Listen, to the true report.”
Isn’t it funny that I did remember the instance of separation with that first dear friend, but I didn’t remember the word from God that I gave that second person?
But God did.
He came in and recounted to me what is my true reputation. How He sees me. As one who hears His voice. As one He speaks to, one who listens.
I choose to care about God’s report on my life…not someone’s faulty memory. I choose to care about God’s interpretation of me, more than any person’s.
I hope that’s how you process life too. Lean into God and let Him speak truth to your heart. Let His voice be the one that breaks through the noisiness of life. Lean into Him. Learn from Him. Let Him lead you through your emotions, and into the truth. He knows you better than anyone.
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death- even death on a cross! Philippians 2:5-8
365 Days in the Presence 