Standing with Integrity

Good afternoon! As you may have noticed, this morning’s encouragement did not arrive in a timely manner. As you well know, some Mondays are just that way. I hope that your morning was productive thus far and that your week is off to a great start.

Today I want to share with you the following verse from Proverbs:

Proverbs 10:9 (NLT)
People with integrity have firm footing, but those who follow crooked paths will slip and fall.

Integrity is one of those things we all seek in those we interact with, but sadly it is becoming harder and harder to find. In today’s cut throat world, people will use every means, tactic and scheme to get ahead. Decisions are made in boardrooms all across America without a thought being given to those who are affected in the aftermath.

I often hear those of the “builder” generation talking about a simpler time when a man’s handshake was binding and a promise could be counted on. I was very blessed to have the concept of integrity lived out in front of me. My father has always been a man of his word even when it wasn’t popular or easy. As the years have gone by, I have watched many of his peers and counterparts fall by the wayside, because they were willing to compromise, but in the end my dad stood strong and survived.

People of integrity have firm footing, because they do not shift with opinion, pressure or temptation. A man or woman of integrity is the same whether no one is watching or the whole world is watching. Integrity runs much deeper than action, but is instead a core value that comes from within.

This week many of you will have opportunity to compromise your values, beliefs and morals. This will be a crossroads for you…will you be true to what you believe in or will you bend to conform? Sadly with compromise you may see some temporal gain, but in the long run, your compromise will catch up with you.

A few years ago, my wife and I took a cruise to the Caribbean. For two days we traveled through 13’ waves as we traveled towards our destination. It was amusing to watch people attempt to walk straight as the boat beneath them was buffeted. Try as you might, you were inevitably going to zig-zag. This is what happens when we compromise. It is impossible to take a
stand, when you allow your values and convictions to change.

This week I challenge you to make a commitment to integrity. Commit that no matter how tempting the compromise, you will stand for doing what is right. In the end, your stance will cause you to stand out. People will see you as trustworthy and honest. Your input and influence will carry much more weight, because your character will have proven itself time and time again.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl