MY REPUTATION IS AT STAKE
«Open your mouth for the speechless, in the cause of all who are appointed to die. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy“ (Proverbs 31:8,9).
I once had the privilege of interviewing Mary DeMuth. Mary is a Christian author and radio host. When she was only five years Old, she was abused by some boys in the neighborhood. For this reason, she is dedicated today to praying for other victims and guiding them through the extensive healing process. During the interview, Mary and I talked about her latest book, We too, and how the church, in the face of abuse, may have a harmful or redemptive response.
Mary told me that, many times, when victims share their experiences, they don’t get the support they need. Sometimes people don’t believe them or know how to react. There are several reasons why this happens, but the saddest is that the community is more concerned with taking care of its reputation than taking care of the victims. Mary believed, quite rightly, that Jesus never acted in that way. Jesus was not paying attention to His reputation, but the reputation of those whom He could redeem.
However, it wasn’t just Jesus who acted like this. Think about Mary. After receiving the angel’s visit, she replied, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word» (Luke I-38). Fulfilling God’s wilt destroyed Mary’s reputation a single, pregnant woman was not well regarded, but Mary loved God more than her reputation. Hosea was also willing to sacrifice his reputation in order to be faithful to God. God said to him: “Go, take yourself a wife of harlotry,” and he did. Paul lost his status to the point of being considered mad (Acts 26:24). It is very likely that people thought Noah was also crazy in preparing for a flood which had never happened before.
While there is nothing wrong with wanting to have a good name, following Christ is loving Him more than our reputation, that of our family or our community of faith. If we have to choose between doing our duty or maintaining appearances, let us put our reputation in God’s hands and do what we need to. Ellen G. White wrote that the world needs people who will stand for the right even if the heavens fall.
Dear Lord, give me the courage to do the right thing even if my reputation is at stake.
#WomensDevotional
#RadioJovenAdventista
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Take From: Devotional Thoughts for Women 2022
«NO FEARS»
BY: VANEZA PISSUTO
Collaborators: Alexandra Pérez & Angelica Cuate