Guard Your Image

Yesterday, while on travel in Gulfport, Mississippi, a guy walked up to me and called me by name. At first I didn’t recognize him but after a brief discussion I could see the same young 19 or 20 year old in the face of the excited middle-aged man. He turned out to be a guy who worked for me in the military 22 years ago. After 22 years of separation, I thought it was quite remarkable that a guy I never really knew that well, remembered my name and my age-enhanced face.
Immediately it dawned on me that the possibilities we have to impact people are far greater than anything we could predict or control. Immediately I began to reflect on what my impact might have been 22 years ago. Where was I in my life and how did it project to other people? I look back and see the image of someone driven to succeed. A matter-of-fact, anti-sympathizer with personal goals that were not accommodating to anyone who presented themselves as an obstacle: a bulldozer, clearing a path to promotion. I hope it wasn’t as bad as I remember but my conscious tells me it was probably worse. Although this guy was happy and excited to see me, I’m afraid that I might have been a very flawed example for the young people God put in my path.
So, what’s the point? That I’ve always been a sinner? Well, of course that’s true but if we can flounder through periods of our lives and still have a positive impact on people, even while we may not have understood our purpose, imagine what could be accomplished if we knew our purpose, and we guarded our image. How important is it to protect our image and project our image? It can be infinitely important. “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us” Titus 2:7 (ESV). God is so good that He can use a good image to protect us or to influence someone who will ultimately impact many others for the cause of Christ.
The armor of God has been a part of my wardrobe for quite some time but, I must admit I have struggled, at times, to grow into it. My image: your image, is either securely protected by your relationship with God or it is exposed to the assumptions, the perceptions and the scrutiny of man. None of those things are important unless they’re true. A guarded image is the assurance that whether people are happy to see you or angry at the mention of your name, you’re covered by God and you’ve done your part and left the seeds of goodness, which God uses to do His will.