Rich in Integrity

"Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity

than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool."

Proverbs 19:1 ESV

"You must be rich," the lab technician observed as she prepped me for my blood draw.  At first I was a bit offended and even amused.  

"Me?  Rich?  Hardly!"  I replied as I compared my financial state to the wealthy with big houses, nice clothes and fancy cars.  Then I realized the truth- I am rich.  There is so much more to wealth than money.

Careful.  Words are a dime a dozen, passed around like cheap party favors found at the Dollar Store.  I can say things for effect, to elicit a certain reaction from others. Or I can make claims in order to win an argument or make a specific point.  I can even use promises as leverage, to manipulate others for my benefit.  Each of these examples illustrate a careless and reckless attitude, demonstrating a disrespect for the power of words.  When I yield to the Spirit of integrity dwelling within, however, I will mean what I say and say what I mean (Galatians 5:16, Matthew 5:37, James 5:12).

There is a medieval proverb that says, "If a man's life be lightning, his words are thunder."  I often shudder when lightning flashes during a heavy thunderstorm, not because I fear the light but because I know the thunder is coming.  The impact of the crack of thunder can cause the walls of the house to rattle and send children and pets running for safety under beds and in closets.  In the same way my words have an impact on others.  I can either build up or tear down simply in the choice of words that I use (Ephesians 4:29, 1 Thessalonians 5:11).  Therefore, I would be wise to speak carefully.

I am rich in integrity when I realize the power of words and therefore choose to use them to edify the lives of others.

Trustworthy.  There are some people I know I can count on and others who don't always follow through.  At first I give the latter the benefit of the doubt, believing they ran into trouble or encountered a roadblock that kept them from living up to their obligations.  After several times, though, they lose my trust and I don't even count on them, even if they sincerely promise to do something.  They have proved themselves as untrustworthy.

Instead of falling into this category, it is my desire to reflect the nature of God's indwelling Spirit and establish myself as reliable and dependable.  Therefore, I must live up to my promises, being honest and true to myself.  If I try to do things I think I should do but are contrary to my calling or character, I'll never be able to live up to it.  Instead, it's better to live authentically, flaws and all, and show myself as faithful than to build up an high ideal of a persona I could never maintain.  Part of being trustworthy is to be the woman God created me to be.

I am rich in integrity when I realize the power of living up to my potential as my true self so that others can count on me.

God-Confident.  There is enough confidence in this world to choke a team of hogs.  The culture in which I live encourages me to be sure of myself, trusting in my dreams and aspirations, believing I can do whatever I put my mind to.  Having just attended my nephew's high school graduation, I can attest to the fact that the next generation is hearing much of these inspirational messages meant to spur them on to greatness.

No wonder I have so much trouble humbling myself before a holy God, depending solely upon Him to empower me, equip me and guide me.  I want to do as the world says and pull myself up by my bootstraps, bolster myself against the storms of life and depend on my own wherewithal to get me through and propel me upward.  But this kind of confidence could better be described as arrogance, self-centered and prideful as it is.  Instead of relying on my own strength and limited resources, I can rejoice in my weaknesses knowing that when there is less of me, there is more of Him (2 Corinthians 2:9-10).

I am rich in integrity when I realize the power that comes from trusting in God for all that I need.

I may not feel wealthy, but if I am walking with Jesus I am rich in integrity.  I know this when I see how He leads me to use my words carefully, develop a trustworthy character, and become more God-confident and less self-assured.  In these ways, I am rich beyond my wildest dreams (Ephesians 1:3)!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to be true to who He made me to be.

When can I not be relied upon because I can't maintain the facade I've carefully constructed?

How am I self-confident instead of God-confident?