The Reputation That Matters Most

Retirement is an idea we talk about a lot. Some people are trying to figure out how to get there faster. Some are trying to get there well. Others are wondering if they’ll ever get there at all!

Recently, my wife and I attended the retirement celebration for her uncle, who was retiring from our county sheriff's office after many decades of service.

It was a fun time to be with our extended family, eat good food, and celebrate this milestone with him.

The program was simple: dinner, speeches, gifts, and remarks from the retirees.

There were funny stories and silly gifts. But one thing struck me during one of the speeches.

A fellow officer clearly and distinctly mentioned that my wife's uncle is a "man of God."

What a testimony!

Of all the things they could have mentioned. Of all the accomplishments they could have highlighted. Of all the accolades he had earned. What stood out?

“Shawn is a man of God.”

That stuck with me.

1 Timothy 6:11, Paul writes, "But you, man of God, flessfrom all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness."

Paul is writing to Timothy about the dangers of false teachers and the distractions that can pull people away from the Gospel. At the same time, he encourages Timothy to remain steadfast in his calling and leadership.

Paul recognizes Timothy as a man of God. Someone who believes, trusts, and is committed to Jesus. Someone who has been called by God and is actively pursuing Him.

That raises an important question for all of us: Are we men and women of God?

Have we surrendered ourselves to Him? Do we truly believe, trust, and follow Him? Is our life marked by a commitment to Jesus?

Paul says that a man or woman of God must flee from unrighteousness, false teaching, and empty myths. Fleeing is more than simply avoiding something. It requires intentionality.

To flee means "to run away from or escape, especially from danger, fear, or pursuit."

Paul is telling Timothy to run from anything that would pull him away from Christ and remain grounded in the truth of God.

But Paul doesn't stop there.

He also tells Timothy to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.

We are to go after these things. Chase them. Seek them. Make them priorities in our lives.

To pursue means to follow, chase, or strive for something.

So the question becomes: What are we pursuing?

Are we chasing after God or the flattering words and approval of other people?

Are we pursuing godliness or godlessness?

Jesus said the world would know we are His disciples by the way we love one another. As I sat at that retirement celebration, I couldn't help but think that Shawn's testimony was evidence of a life spent pursuing God.

When your career is over, when the awards are put away, and when the titles no longer matter, what will people say about you?

My prayer is that the people who know me best would be able to say, "Kris is a man of God."

What about you?

Take a few moments today to honestly evaluate what you're pursuing. Ask God to reveal anything you need to flee from and to strengthen your pursuit of righteousness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. May our greatest accomplishment not be what we achieved, but who we became in Christ.

Anyway, I was just thinking...