Integrity

There are some things in life upon which we can rely. The sun comes up each morning, the lush green of summer turns into the vibrant colors of fall before giving in to the bare vista of winter, and regardless of how cloudy it is, somewhere above the ceiling of grey there is a clear blue sky.

Having constants in life is important. A firm foundation is required for a safe home. Regardless of how many times one might redecorate the outside, changing its appearance, the foundation must never change. A shifting foundation cannot be trusted and causes the house to fall.

In one of the many men’s ministry meetings I have attended, the speaker commented that integrity was proved by what one did when no one else could know. That really struck a chord with me. I want to be someone that others can depend upon regardless of what is happening in my own life. I want very badly to be the foundation that others can depend upon. This can only happen if I consistently look at myself and ask the question; ‘Is what I am doing something I would be proud to tell others about?’ I am sorry to say that at times that is not the case. We all have things that we deal with that must be purged.

Honesty is one of the fundamentals of my existence. I strive to be truthful in every situation I find myself in. Many times that truthfulness has not served me well at a given moment. It might have been easier to tell a lie to avoid the consequences of my own actions, however the fact that those consequences and the consequences of the lie would have to be dealt with at sometime anyway convinced me that as old Abe said, ‘Honesty is the best policy’, was in fact how I should live my life.

I've learned how painful it is to not be trusted because of a lie, especially if the one who would not trust me was someone I loved and respected. I always found that the disappointment I saw in the eyes of my parents when I let them down was far greater punishment that any trip to the woodshed I made with my dad. I preferred the woodshed, as at least it was over and done with, but the disappointment and loss of faith in me would continue until I proved myself worthy of their trust once again.

I have also learned how painful it is to lose faith in someone you love because of their untruthfulness. I have found that the loss of faith is far more painful than the truth would have been. This has always been something I have had a difficult time overcoming. These have been the times that God has taken the opportunity to teach me what grace is all about.

I thank God He has been gracious to me in forgiving me and restoring me to a place of honor in His sight even after I have let Him down. This is the ultimate expression of His love to us, His willingness to pay the debt that we owe, and then clothing us in His glory to boot. How hard it is to reciprocate this grace to others when we have been wronged.

Integrity is more than being honest and righteous; it is about treating others as God has treated us. Forgiveness must be the central theme of our relationships. It is a fact that those around us will at sometime hurt us. Another fact is; it will sometimes be those to whom we are the closest who will hurt us the most.

It is truth that we should show the same grace that we so willingly accept from God.

Forgive someone today.

Enjoy the Java

Jim