Integral Integrity

I start this story by saying that one must never be applauded or honored for doing what is right. Doing right is to be expected of a believer in Jesus. Because this story is directly connected to our trip, it is one that bears sharing.

Yesterday I went to purchase the sound system that we will be taking with us from my usual vendor. How usual? Lets just say that many of the sales staff know me by name. Probably because of my unique features, but they seem to know many customers by their names, so who am I kidding? Well, I purchased the equipment from a sales person who used to work there and always gave me great deals. It was refreshing to see Art back again. He shook my hand and told me that I must be loosing weight...ya, right (I didn't say he always told the truth). Needless to say, he came through for me again, selling the system for $100 less than I could find anywhere, on the internet, or anywhere I called. It was a 20% discount from an already less than retail price. We chatted while he finished my sale and he helped me out to my car with the sound system.

Well, today, after dropping my wife off at church for a trip with some friends, getting some gas and stopping at a local discount store to purchase a piece of luggage to take the sound system on the plane to Croatia (on sale for 30% off....trained well by my wife), I came home to a panicked phone call from Art, asking me to please call him back. It turned out that he had rung my sale up as cash and didn't charge my ATM card. I looked at my receipt, checked my online banking statement and it was true, no charge anywhere. I could have called him, told him that I had in fact paid him in cash (an outright lie) and he would have to have the sale taken out of his pay. I am also sure that if I had done that, my deals with him would be through.

He was incredibly relieved when I assured him that I have to sleep at night, believe integrity is an integral part of my life, and would be there in a half hour. He pontificated with a story about Karma and how he had found some money that a man dropped at the bank and rather than giving it to the teller to track down the man, put it in his wallet. That day, he lost his wallet and it was returned later without the found money and the other personal cash he had in it.

It just didn't seem the time to tell him why I try to be a man of integrity, at least not yet. When I arrived at the store, Art seemed really relieved that I really did come in, and his whole demeanor changed. He then told me that he would really give me a really awesome deal on some large purchase in the future, but, we'll see if I ever have the money or if he's around to complete his offer for me.

Why I share this story is because I know it is people and relationships above all else that count for eternity. I am praying that God will make it clear to me when I am to share with Art the reason (beyond his point of Karma) that I am the way I am. As a believer, I know it is important to share Christ with others, but I do not believe it is my goal to pressure myself or them into hearing the gospel. Don't get me wrong, it is imperative that we share the good news, but only when their hearts will be receptive, and only then, by the prompting of God. This is one of the main reasons I feel blessed to be able to go to Croatia in the first place. I am hoping to develop some new and wonderful friendships with people whom I'd never dreamed I'd get the chance to meet! I believe by living the life of Christ, being available, compassionate and by walking with integrity, only then, will we earn the right to share the powerful mystery and beauty who is Christ.

My prayer is that I be the 'real deal', and that God Himself will speak to their hearts and tell me when I am to share the good news of the gospel, with them recognizing the sweetness of Christ in me, along with the honesty of seeing that I am being transformed, and not yet perfect. We live in a world where honesty and integrity is loosing its grip with selfishness and gain at any cost taking its place. A place where 'stretching and bending' the truth for gain is seen as the norm, rather than the exception. When we choose righteousness and completely understand who is in charge and who owns all we have or ever will have, then, if we live with integrity, focused on giving rather than getting, will we have abundantly above and beyond what we could ever think or imagine.

I know for me, I am looking forward to going to a place where gold is nothing but pavement, and the richest of all things will be to sit at the feet of Christ, hearing him tell us about how He made it all, as well as enjoying it all with Him for eternity! For it is all His and He Himself is integral integrity.