first impressions

How embarrassing. The first time our neighbors ever saw us was when we were doubled over in laughter at the sight of Samantha running around the backyard without the top of her bathing suit on.

Samantha, sans bathing suit.

Most embarrassing of all, though, was the fact that Samantha was our yellow Labrador retriever.

You see, the family (well, maybe it was dad’s idea) thought it would be funny to put the dog in a two-piecer. After all, we had just gotten her a wading pool she could cool off in during the hot summer months.

Chris and family, meet the new neighbors. Oops.

Then there was the time when Chris carried the toilet—bowl, tank, the whole thing—into the backyard. You see, our son had clogged the toilet with a tube of toothpaste and, well, I didn’t know any better.

I eventually got the tube out with the help of a garden hose, but forgot that the neighbors on the other side of us were having an open house. I’ll never forget the looks from a couple as they stood on the balcony and stared in disbelief at the white trash (that would be me) next door.

Chris, meet the almost-new neighbors. Oops.

I think most of us would agree that first impressions are pretty important. Most of us think about that when interviewing for a new job, but how many of us give it much thought the rest of the time?

Immediately after those snafus I was painfully aware of the importance of first impressions. Unfortunately, my M.O. is to slowly forget what I’ve learned and fall back into old habits. And, if I’m honest, I get lazy sometimes. Maybe you have the same problem.

Because of that, if I’m not careful I’m in danger of making a bad first impression. That’s why I’m so grateful for a recent Scriptural reminder.

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”1

As followers of Jesus, that’s a description of us: “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God.” And what are we supposed to be doing? Declaring “the praises of him who called” us “out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

I don’t know about you, but that verse intimidates me. A lot. I/we have a big responsibility, a huge responsibility.

Because we represent God most high, and because it’s so important to tell others about Him, we can’t afford to make a bad first impression. There’s too much at stake.

As priests of God most high we need to be on our best behavior wherever we go and whatever we do. Practically-speaking, that means if anyone else can hear us or see us they need to witness a real-life member of the Lord’s “holy priesthood.” Anything less is shirking our divine responsibility.

I don’t know about you, but I need to do better in this area. In fact, I have a few thoughts on what needs to change, but will keep it to myself. And no, it doesn’t have anything to do with dogs in bathing suits or toilets.

How about you? Are there places or situations where you’re making bad first impressions? Where you aren’t representing the God of the universe well?

As priests of God most high, “Oops” doesn’t cut it.

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

1  1 Peter 2:9