Integrity
God is challenging me to work out my life with integrity. According to the dictionary, integrity means:
"adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty." To be honest with my life is challenging. I'd rather stretch the truth than deal with things honestly. I've heard people say that you need to be brutally honest, but I don't believe that to be true. God wants me to be candid; "characterized by openness and sincerity of expression; unreservedly straightforward (American Heritage Dictionary s.v. 'candid')."

To be unreservedly straighforward means honestly determining where I am with God, with family, with others. A person of integrity takes a sincere and open look at one's life. That scares you and I because we want to look good. Yet I need to balance that with what God's Word, the Bible says about all people. Rather than remaining in pride and seeking to look good, everyone can embrace humility. For Proverbs 11:2 says,
"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." I can embody humility by taking an honest look at myself and know that God still loves me--warts, zits, acne and all! I can face myself with integrity. You can see yourself honestly and be free.

Moreover, I can live in the truth that God's love for me can impact my relationships. I wonder how many times I've said half-truths to cover my pride in order for others to receive the blame. I wonder how many times I've hurt others with my unfaithfulness. Proverbs 11:3 offers me a greater challenge,
"The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity."
If I am honest with myself before God, then I can be honest with everyone else in my life. This does not give me license to blast everyone brutally. But I gives me the foundation for deeper friendships. I want to build relationships rather than destroy them. I can build relationships on upright and honest values--values of intergrity. Living in this life is not easy, but with God's help anyone can thrive.

I wonder what you think about this issue of integrity. I wonder if relationships with others is only two-faced masks rather than real and honesty unmasked. Does how you view yourself truly impact relationships negatively? What has been your experience? your observation?

Peace out,
Pastor D