February 13th, 2010
What is integrity? The dictionary describes it as "the quality or state of being of sound moral principle; uprightness, honesty, and sincerity." Another way to put it would be "doing what is right no matter what the situation or circumstance."
I am currently reading a book by K.P. Yohannan titled Against The Wind: Finishing Well in a World of Compromise. In it he relates a story of integrity.
I once heard the story of one particular senator who was known for being an honest and God-fearing politician. Everywhere he went, people would ask him why he was so different from most politicians, why he would not compromise and why he gave such high priority to living by principle. To answer their questions, he told the following story.
One morning he and his father took their fishing poles and worms and started fishing on a lake. The guidelines that came with their license said that they could keep only the fish that were caught after noon (in the United States you must have a license to fish in lakes).
For quite some time they patiently waited for a catch. Suddenly the boy felt a tug on his line. "Daddy, daddy," he cried out, "fish!"
His father helped him pull the line in, revealing a large, beautiful fish flopping on the end of the line.
"I caught a big fish!" cried the boy excitedly. "We can cook it, Daddy, and Mommy will be very happy."
But his father said, "Son, it is not yet noon."
"What do you mean?"
"The law says that we can only keep the fish we catch starting at exactly twelve noon. My son, it is not yet twelve o'clock."
"But, Daddy, nobody is here. We are the only people on this whole lake. Nobody will know!"
But his father stood strong. "Son, it is still five minutes before twelve. It is not yet noon."
"Oh, Daddy, please!" the boy cried. "It's only five minutes."
"My son, it may be only five minutes away, but I'm sorry, we cannot keep the fish."
The father took the fish and threw it back into the lake.
This example of his father's commitment to integrity, no matter how small or great the matter, impacted the boy so significantly that it is what he attributed his success as a politician to. He says that to this day, he still hears the voice of his father reminding him of the importance of integrity, that regardless of who sees or knows, he will consistently choose to do the right thing, no matter what the cost.
What do you do when you're faced with a similar situation? Do you do as the boy and say, "But nobody's here. No one will ever know..." Or are you as the father, who stood fast, resisting the temptation to do wrong, not caring whether or not anyone was watching?
What does your life reflect? Is your life one of integrity, one that shows you're living for Christ? Or is it one that "blends in" with the rest of the world to where others can't see the difference?
