Keeping it One Hundred

First impressions…it’s the thing we learn to do when going on a job interview, getting a loan from a bank, meeting his/her parents for the first time, and yes, when we are going on that first date. The things we go through just so the person seeing us initially will believe that you are honest, forthcoming, having integrity, loyalty, with a focused plan for the future. It puts the other person receiving you at ease….well, that’s what we intended, right?

But what if…just envision for a moment, the boss from the job interview, the loan officer, the parent of your love interest, or the love interest were in the car with you right in the middle of rush hour and you had 5 minutes to make it to work on time? Or if anyone of the aforementioned were coming to your home unannounced? Or on a day off and your idea of relaxing around the house is to be in your pajamas all day long eating junk food and marinating in your own ilk? Would it matter what impression you made on them then?

If so, what’s the difference? You know you - right? What would you change and why? If not, hmm…that’s interesting (Romans 12:2 AMP). Because the world does what it does and you know why. But we have overcome the world, so why are you still doing those things as if you still need the milk of the Word?

In thinking about this very topic, I started to wonder why the best of marriages worked out so well. It

was simple. Basic respect and considering the others needs before your own. These are seeds sown into good ground and therefore the harvest will manifest in abundance (Matthew 13:12 AMP). It’s what God’s Word does. As long as you abide in Him and He in you, it’s just inevitable. The problem is getting to that point of maturity. What are you practicing in your life right now? Will it be difficult for you not to sleep in on a Saturday, not to wear sweats, or comb your hair because "it’s my day off and I deserve it"? Will it be difficult for you not to say the aforementioned sentence…ever?

There was this young couple that married under the idea that the financial struggle would be there but not for long because his family is well off and the soon to be father in law had an established business where he was going to set his son in as soon as he completed his degree. For all intents and purposes, their future was looking pretty. She was considered beautiful and smart. He was thought of as good looking and full of potential. Funny thing happened after the young couple married, he announced to her that he didn’t like the business that his father established and wasn’t going to be working for him. She was shocked and tried to regain some composure to sort out their future. The other part of the funny, her father-in-law knew that his son wasn’t going to accept his job offer. The pastor that counseled, married the couple and has known the young man his whole life, knew the character of the man as well; offered prayer as a condolence to the young woman. She was dumbfounded and didn’t know what to do but to get an annulment because of the pretense of a life that was never going to happen. Can you see the abundance of the harvest there (John 10:10 AMP)?

A middle aged couple with 3 children had been arguing far too long. During one of their intense verbal discussions, he felt it was the appropriate time to divulge that he had been cheating on her. It stopped the argument in its tracks and she told him to get out. Days turned into weeks. He was looking for her to call him so they could resume with their lives. She didn’t do that. He got scared thinking that she could find a better husband than him so he would come to their home unannounced under the guise of seeing their children. She allowed it to happen not wanting him to lose whatever relationship he had with them. He, on the other hand felt it was the way to get back in the house. He became attentive to the children and slowly to her as well. He made sure what ever she needed he was there to accommodate it. This made her soften and be more forgiving about his “indiscretion”. Eventually, when he knew her mood was like it used to be when they were first dating, he asked if he could come back home. She agreed without reluctance. Days didn’t turn into weeks …it was 10 days (if not less) he told her that he was tired of walking on egg shells and he had to be himself. She didn’t understand what that meant. She asked when did he have to walk on eggshells? He smiled but didn’t answer. The next day, she stayed alert to try to understand what her husband meant. At dinner when he had complimented her all of those days before, this evening he didn’t. Having spent time with the children, she noticed how he stayed to himself-like he used to when they were arguing. After she put the children to bed, she joined him in the living room, on the couch next to him and asked if he enjoyed his dinner. He shrugged and said, “meh”. She waited to see if he was going to say anything else. He didn’t. Gradually she felt uncomfortable and moved to a chair. She knew, if not this evening it would be soon for the arguing to start all over again.

First impressions are great, but the lasting impression is better especially if its the one you intended to give? How come we put on the best clothes we have for Sunday and not everyday? Personally, I thought it was like going before the King so you make the best impression you can. Then you grow up and understand that God is looking for the heart to be more like His. You can’t fool Him with your outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7 AMP). You understand that clean shaven and a beautifully ironed suit or dress is for men's acceptance. Depending on his/her walk, that’s who is judging you:

"Not the right designer bag?" "The 70’s called, they want their haircut back?" "What year is the car your driving?" 

Yeah, that’s all man. But as you grow in Christ and believe it’s not as hard as you thought to be more like Him, your first impression will be the only impression you’ll need because it’s the only one you have. And that’s what keeping it 100 looks like!