Somehow, I missed this news story at the end of summer, but police have arrested Vladimir Putin. Apparently, he was wandering around a grocery store in West Palm Beach, Florida. He was asked several times to leave the store, but refused. Eventually, he started yelling at the staff. That’s when the police arrived and took Mr. Putin into custody.
His name really is Vladimir Putin, but he’s not the Vladimir who is the President of Russia. I wonder what it’s been like for him having to share that name for the last fifteen years. Perhaps that’s what brought on his breakdown in a Florida grocery store.
Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name is more desirable than great riches.” What the author really means is ‘a good reputation’ is better than wealth. Our character is of more value than our possessions. We can’t buy a good name or reputation – we have to build it day by day.
When people hear your name, what do they think of? Do they think goodness, patience, kindness, mercy, diligence, gentleness and faithfulness? Are their thoughts about you positive? How do you think people talk about you when you are not present? Do they honor and respect you by the way you are known?
We can’t choose the name given to us at birth. However, we can give meaning to that name by the way we live. Our time and energy should go into our relationships and reputation. Sadly, many people are often more concerned with their possessions than with what is really important. Make it your goal to have a good name!
