Recently I spent some time reflecting on something that only belongs to me – integrity. My integrity is something that you can’t touch it. You can tempt me to compromise, but you can’t make me do anything. You can’t steal it, you can’t buy it (well, maybe for the right price – just kidding). It’s mine. David wrote in Psalms:
I will give heed to the blameless way. When will You come to me? I will walk within my house in the integrity of my heart. Psalm 101:2
David lived his life to serve God. He was a shepherd who became King and led Israel to do amazing things. But one day on a rooftop, he compromised his integrity. Then, he took it a step further and became involved in sexual sin. It cost him the kingdom, his family and a lot of heartache in his life.
It appears that much of our culture is aimed at our integrity. We have a chance to compromise our character with almost every breath that we take. Yet, humbly my desire is to finish the race walking with Him – integrity intact. One of the hardest places to have integrity is probably at home. However, Kim has helped me with that. She says that if I ever desire to leave her, consider if another woman would want a blind, bald, toothless man in a wheelchair. That’s what she says I will look like when she is done with me!
Remember, your integrity is one of the only things someone cannot take from you. You lose it by giving it away.
My pastor just read a book that prompted him to challenge our congregation about integrity – “The Remnant: Restoring the call to personal integrity” by Larry Stockstill. I can’t wait to read it.
As I began praying about my integrity, it was almost surprising how quickly it was tested. And of course, it’s the quiet moments when God is the only one who sees you that are sometimes the hardest ones to triumph in…
Thanks for the book suggestion. Looking forward to February.