Making a True Impression
It has been said that no one has a second chance for making a good first impression. This may be true, though people can still prove themselves later, gradually, by new attitudes and actions, even if at first no good impression was made.
The opposite is often also true. Many people make excellent good first impressions, only to fail in maintaining consistency thereafter. Commitments are made to some people on the basis of how they first present themselves, but nothing substantial comes from them afterwards.
Such problems exist at all levels of human relationships. Employers come to expect certain things from an employee, just as employees anticipate the fulfillment of promises made by their boss, yet are never delivered.
Through the years I have received couples in my counseling office where one partner complains: “This is no longer the man I had married; I fear I don’t know him anymore.” Or, “I no longer recognize the womam I am married to; she has changed too much since our wedding, and not necessarily for the better.”
Then, there are those who promise innocent favors or services which they do not take seriously, quickly forgetting them altogether. Yet, those unto whom those promises were made keep wondering what happened, without ever securing an honest reply. It is preferable not to offer anything than to make a commitment and never fulfill it, or at least show no sense of urgency for its realization.
Lord Chesterfield is famous for a simple, yet meaningful, recommendation: “Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.” It’s only by fulfilling little tasks on time that anyone shall be able to tackle bigger ones, which are always present in any person’s schedule. Time never stands still, waiting for you!
The Bible addresses the issue of hypocrisy; it emphasizes the need for truth at all times and at all levels; it demands consistency between what one says and does. Faithfulness pertains to little tasks, as well as to bigger ones! Jesus stressed that priority in His Sermon on the Mount: “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one” (Matthew 5:37).
Politicians often make promises they can’t fulfill, knowing that well in advance. Many salesmen also impress potential customers so as to sell their product, though their fast talk often does not correspond to the way things are, or will be. There is a famous nationwide car rental company where all its young agents look handsome, speak convincingly, and are very courteous. Yet, none of that conceals the fact that their major in college might have been “double talk.” That is the real impression left after dealing with them.
These, and many others, are horrendous flaws certain people utilize to entrap others. Sadly, even Christian workers may sometimes operate in that fashion, thus deceiving many, even to the point of eternal impact. You need be less concerned with appearances, while striving always for genuine, positive impressions; these are possible only when your words and your actions are consistent with one another!
