Wow, it’s been a while since I got to lay down some text and do some writing. It’s been crazy busy. Nevertheless, I am going to power house out some stuff that has been circling in my brain for a while now. Ok, so here it goes…

Let me give you a small pre-story as to what is happening before a throw out the scripture that caught my attention…

The King of Edom, Israel, and Judah (3 different kings) set out to go to war…problem was that when they showed up to fight, they started to lose. Fearing that the battle was getting away from them, they finally sought the Lord’s opinion on the matter. Be honest here…that is what we all do. We all act first and then ask later for God to bless something that we didn’t include him in.

The king of Judah, Jehoshaphat, finally speaks up and says let’s go ask the man of God, Elisha. The others are down with that so they take off to hear what Elisha says on the matter. Now Elisha didn’t like the king of Edom…this is where we find ourselves in the text today…

2 Kings 3:14

"Elisha said (to the King of Edom), "As surely as the LORD Almighty lives, whom I serve, if I did not have respect for the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not look at you or even notice you."

Awkward…

Can you imagine being the King of Edom and having something like that said to your face? Think about it. To be a king is pretty powerful. You are the absolute ruler. Your words bring life or death to people. Your character, example, and leadership will shape generations to come. And here’s the thing…good or bad, your reputation will precede you while you live. Your legacy will boast who you were long after you are gone.

So…what kind of reputation do you have?

When you come to people for help are they happy to receive you, or do they turn around and walk off? Does your reputation merit respect like that of Jehoshaphat? Are you known as a person who seeks after God and has a discerning heart for that which is true, upright, and pure? Don’t hear what I’m not saying…you’re not going to be perfect in life. Get over that. It won’t happen. But you can choose to be generous, thoughtful, kind, loving, patient, and so much more. You actually can choose your reputation and the legacy you will leave behind.