Integrity

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/integrity

in·teg·ri·ty
Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English integrite, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French integrité, from Latin integritat-, integritas, from integr-, integer entire
Date: 14th century

1 : firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values : incorruptibility
2 : an unimpaired condition : soundness
3 : the quality or state of being complete or undivided : completeness

synonyms see honesty


Everyone has experienced disappointments in their lives. Sometimes those disappointments can be the result of another persons actions and sometimes they are the result of our own flawed expectations. Managing expectations can be a VERY tricky thing.

Recently, at work I was presented with an opportunity that seemed to be a perfect solution to a long-term problem. The opportunity took the form of a new hire that I could groom to perform some of my duties while I moved onto other, more administrative things. The interview went well enough that we created a position for this person to make sure we did not lose them. We checked some of the references and received glowing reviews.

We called them back for the second interview and we made a job offer. The offer was accepted and we established a start date for the following week.

Several hours later, we received some information that raised some red flags. We did more research and discovered some very troubling things about our new hire. It seems our candidate had made a bad decision in the past and had compromised years of built-up reputation.

We thought hard about what this meant and what we should do about it. It was best for our organization to rescind our offer of employment. I hated the whole situation.

As a believer, I know that no man or woman can ever be too far from God for Him to save them. That literally means that everyone is loved, and anyone can be saved through Christ. I struggled with no giving this person a second chance...but I had to recognize that their integrity had been destroyed in our community and putting them in our office would be taking on a huge risk. In fact, I was told not to speak with this person alone about anything for fear of retribution. My heart is heavy.

Listen boys. You MUST guard your heart. You MUST stay alert. We have an enemy that knows our weaknesses and is looking for the opportunity to ensnare us. Snares are DESIGNED to use your own desires against you. When we go fishing, we use lures that are cleverly designed to be as enticing as possible to the fish. Bass lures do not appeal to Crappie. Perch are not often caught with stinkbait. When a fish is hungry they are more likely to bite something that they find desirable. For the fish, and for us, it can be a matter of life and death.

You are not as easily persuaded when you are thinking clearly. You are not much of a target if you are well protected. You MUST guard your heart. You MUST stay alert. Put on your armor daily.

Integrity speaks to who you really are. If you spend your whole life doing good - and you are held in high esteem by your peers - then you will be considered a man of integrity. People will trust you - because you have demonstrated with your life that you can be trusted.

"A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold."
~ Proverbs 22:1

It only takes a moment to knock that all down. God can restore you if you fall, but your reputation will be lost...perhaps for the rest of your life. More importantly, the thrustworthiness of your witness may be compromised among those who do not know God.

I will not ever expect you to be perfect. I just ask that you do the very best you can.
Submit to God and He will carry the load for you.
He is soverign. We are not.