Quite
a while back, a past coworker shared a story with me about how they didn’t like
their boss at their last job and so in an attempt to get even, that person and
a coworker overbooked the hotel they worked at.
Knowing there would not be enough room once the guests arrived for the
night, they both quit their jobs the same day this was set to happen; knowing
their boss was none the wiser. This person laughed while telling me; as if it
was something to be proud of. My heart
was grieved when I pictured the innocent people that ultimately paid the price
for someone else’s wrong decision. And I
have to be honest when I say that person’s character or integrity spoke loudly that day.
The
character of people tends to intrigue me! I am guilty of watching how others respond
in any given situation. Inevitably, I’m
faced with searching out my own heart as to how I would have responded if it
were me in that same situation. And sad
to say, there are times when I realize I would have responded in the same way;
if not worse. And so I challenge myself to stay in check with the Lord; what
His Word says and coming to the reality that only the Lord can help me make the
right choices in life. Only the Lord can help me rise above offenses or
heartaches others may cause me; whether knowingly or unknowingly.
So
many times I tend to forget about the offenses or heartache I cause the
Lord. Times I know He asks me to witness
to someone and I don’t. Times He asks me to forgive someone and I struggle with
everything inside of me to do it quickly. Or even times He asks me to go that
extra mile to help or encourage someone and I allow other reasons to get in my
way of doing what is right. All of these
things reflect my character and who I am in the Lord. Am I perfect?
Far from it! Yet, my heart is set on doing what is right before the
Lord. I know without doubt, that in my weakness, He is there to strengthen me
along the way. “So I turned
my mind to understand, to investigate and to search out wisdom and the scheme
of things and to understand the stupidity of wickedness and the madness of
folly.” Ecclesiastes
7:25 NIV
How is your character these days? Need a slight character adjustment?
Don’t
beat yourself up over your weakness. Admit that you struggle in this area and
trust the Lord to help you along the way.
Remember, Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice over 2000 years ago, when He
was wounded for our transgressions. Yet He remained faithful in loving us;
despite our sin and shortcomings and despite that He was innocent. Jesus’
integrity was never compromised; regardless of how He was treated.
Making
a fresh start with the Lord isn’t just for salvation. Even though you may
already be a Christian, there may be areas in your life where you simply just
need to make a “fresh start”. I know I do.
So what are you waiting for? Are you being tested in your integrity lately? Are you willing to trust the only One that is able to help you? The Lord is more than able to help you submit completely to Him. And I promise you, some of the things He asks you to do, may not come easy…..at first. But as you seek to obey Him, you will find that total surrender to the Lord brings ultimate peace to any given situation. Remember what we are told in Proverbs 10:9 (NKJV), “He who walks with integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will become known.”
Be
blessed my family & friends! I pray
that as you seek Him diligently, His total favor will overshadow you in every
area of your life.
Love
you all!
Cyndy
“Vindicate me, O Lord, For I have walked
in my integrity. I have also trusted in the Lord; I shall not slip. Examine
me, O Lord,
and prove me; Try my mind and my heart. For Your loving kindness is
before my eyes, And I have walked in Your truth. Psalm
26:1-3 NKJV
