Got a startling reminder this week; somehow, my computer contracted a nasty little bug from Facebook; it then started replicating and sending out messages to my contacts. If you opened the link, you discovered that it wreaked havoc with your computer. In my case, it started opening pop-ups every ten minutes or so; followed by a video chat box that would open and reveal semi naked people. That was a surprise to say the least! This whole deal ate my Monday and pointed out something pretty profound.


I did not send these messages out. However, they went forward with my name attached; when someone opened the viral message, they were infected and shown some pretty graphic stuff. That instantly caused some concern and doubt in some folks' minds...something I did not do and would never do put a little bit of tarnish on my reputation. It had the potential to cause some to question whether or not I am the guy I say I am; to wonder just a little if maybe I am saying one thing and doing something else in secret. That stinks. In this business, all we have is our reputation; when that is questioned, even in a completely accidental situation, there is tremendous potential for damage.

I think it works this way with faith -- we say we believe something, but what story does our life tell? Is it evident? My hope is that my life tells a story that is so powerful that when something like this occurs, people instantly would know that this is not something I would do based on who they know me to be. Granted, there are occasionally surprises. However, when we get this Jesus stuff, it changes us to the core. The fiber of who we are changes, and it becomes easier to dismiss out of character things because of the story our lives tell. Guess this is encouragement to let that core-change be evident and to be aware of the story that our lives do tell.