How important is our integrity?
Job, in the Bible, went through incredible trials and testing, yet he declared… “As long as I have life within me, the breath of God in my nostrils, my lips will not say anything wicked, and my tongue will not utter lies … Till I die, I will not deny my integrity … my conscience will not reproach me as long as I live!” (Job 27.3-6 NIV)
As I read those words this morning I thought of my father, Ewalt W. Bartel… Not a perfect man (none of us are!), but a godly man! And a man I had the opportunity to watch closely under pressure … a man who went through some incredible trials!! And I am happy I can testify to this fact… I never saw him sacrifice his integrity! Today, other friends of mine come to mind … people who have faced incredible pressure, difficulty, temptations, and challenges as well … I’ve watched them and they never sacrificed or abandoned their integrity!
God help me!! I want to be that kind of person! I want my family, my wife, my children, my friends, AND MOST OF ALL MY GOD to be able to say that about me!! Today I want to echo Job’s words and make them my very own!!!
