Integrity Pleases Him
I know my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. 1 Chronicles 29:17
Most of us are honest most of the time—especially when others are watching. But what about those times when you think no one sees you? Do you still walk with integrity? Becky Alexander (Mornings with Jesus) wants us to invite Jesus to test the integrity level in our hearts. Ask Him to show you the ways to please Him today.
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I didn’t expect drama in the parking lot. Three spots were open in a row, so I pulled into the center one. I remained in the car for a few minutes, checking messages on my phone. When a SUV parked to my left, I glanced up briefly and continued reading. Then, wham! I jolted at the impact of metal slamming into metal. My head spun left to see the heavy SUV door resting against the mirror of my Volkswagen. I glared through the window at a woman in the passenger seat. Her mouth formed an “O” and she slapped her hand over it. She yanked her door back a notch and climbed out. I got out too.
“Oh! I am so sorry!” the woman exclaimed. “I didn’t know anyone was in there.”
“Well, that’s not really the issue, is it?” I asked. “I don’t want my car banged up.”
“Oh, no, no, no. Your car isn’t hurt at all,” she said.
Fortunately, I was slow to speak that day, only thinking of “things I should have said” later. I gave that woman grace, just as Jesus has done for me on many occasions. She never admitted wrongdoing or showed any remorse, but she gifted me with a life lesson of great value: “Integrity is doing the right thing when you don’t have to—when no one else is looking or will ever know” (Charles Marshall).
That big scratch on my little car reinforces the truth—and Jesus’s grace—each time I take a drive.
Heavenly Father, help us to stand tall for You! Keep us ever-mindful of who You are and let us be shining examples of Your love to others. AMEN.