Real with Rue

We are not blind to what has been unfolding in the news. The scandals, the harm done to children, and the exposure of powerful figures who perhaps should be behind bars force us to confront uncomfortable truths. Some of the very people we once admired or were inspired by have fallen. Yet Scripture reminds us: “The love of money is the root of all evil.”We know this verse, yet we still live as though money is the ultimate measure of success. These scandals remind us that there are things money cannot buy- one of them is your reputation.

Jesus consistently taught that in the Kingdom of God, the least is the greatest. The one who serves. The one who is poor in spirit. Why? Because when you recognise your need, you seek a greater source. That source is Jesus Christ. When you seek Jesus, you are called to imitate Him. Above all, Jesus lived a life of integrity. He was tested by the Pharisees, by the crowds, even at times by His own disciples. Yet in His conduct and actions, He acted for the glory of the Father.

Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name is more desirable than great riches.” A reputable character, integrity, and the respect of others are worth more than material wealth. But why do we struggle to understand this? Because riches are loud. They speak before a person does. Humility, however, is quiet. It requires lowering our pride, and pride is hard to surrender.

When I feel pride rising in me, I remind myself that I cannot even produce the oxygen I breathe. I remember and reflect on how lost I feel without Jesus, how chaotic my thoughts become, how much I strive and strain in my own strength. Remaining close to Him keeps my heart aligned.

My second piece of advice is this: stay in good standing with others where possible. Turn the other cheek. Stand firm in righteous anger when necessary, but when you fall short, apologize. Protect your reputation in every circumstance. I value my name deeply, because I have seen how hard it is to rebuild trust once it is broken. Pride can destroy in a moment what took years to build.

Ecclesiastes 7:1 says, “A good name is better than fine perfume.” I once saw a woman share that someone recommended her for work simply because of a past interaction. That recommendation earned her £9,000. Her most expensive perfume costs £200. Character opened a door that luxury never could. When you think about people you respect, it is rarely because of their wealth. It is because of their actions. Association matters. Your name carries weight.

My third piece of advice: stand by your word. If you say you will do something, do it. Proverbs reminds us that mere talk leads to poverty. Integrity often means doing the hard thing. And if you fall short, own it and apologize. Being a woman (or man) of your word leaves you with a clean heart.

Not everyone will speak well of you; no one escapes criticism. But what matters is that you have acted with integrity before God. Where I fall short, I try to make amends and leave situations peacefully. Even the way you exit a situation reveals your heart posture. Sometimes a good name means that when someone speaks negatively about you, another person steps in to defend younot because of your wealth, but because of your character.

In a world obsessed with riches, influence, and status, may we remember: a good name is greater than all of it.

its been real

Rue