Integrity

     Billy Graham once said, "Integrity is the glue that holds our way of life together. We must constantly strive to keep our integrity intact. When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost."
     We are called to follow God's will in our lives. We are called to obey His commandments. We are ultimately called to glorify Him. But out in the world today, this is becoming increasingly difficult. While temptations surround us, we face decisions that we don't want to make. We are forced into situations that we don't feel prepared for. These situations can either make us or break us.
     The key to getting through these tough times is our integrity. It's easy to be dishonest with ourselves and others, and far more easy to be dishonest with God. And this sense of dishonesty can become our regular way of dealing with things.
     But we can also be honest. Pure honesty can be difficult. Sometimes it has a way of piercing our hearts and causing pain. But the truth is what's needed. The truth shall set us free. And as soon as we build it into our everyday lives, it will take over and become second nature. Rick Warren said, "We become whatever we are committed to." If we commit our lives to being truthful with God, we will become the truth that so many seek.
   


"Maintaining your integrity in a world of sham is no small accomplishment." --Wayne Oates