Right Over Convenient

Right over Convenient

Daniel soon proved himself more capable than all the other administrators and high officers. Because of Daniel’s great ability, the king made plans to place him over the entire empire. Then the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn’t find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy. Daniel 6:3-4

We are constantly faced with choices. Every day brings a series of decisions between doing what’s convenient and what’s right. And those choices often carry longer-term consequences than we realize. The difference between “convenient” and “right” can last a lifetime.

Integrity is what you do when no one is watching. It’s doing the right thing all the time, even when it works to your disadvantage. It’s keeping your word “even when it hurts,” as Psalm 15:4 describes. It’s the internal compass that keeps you pointed in the right direction when there are plenty of other options around and many of them are pulling you away from your purpose. It isn’t your reputation—that’s the public perception of your integrity, and it isn’t always accurate. Other people determine your reputation, but only you can determine your integrity. Integrity will keep you focused.

When you have integrity, people can count on you. A teammate with integrity can be trusted to put in the time to prepare, to learn the game plan, and to know his assignments during the game. A business partner with integrity can be counted on to deal with money honestly and with people respectfully. A marriage partner with integrity can be trusted to be faithful and to be “all in” for better and for worse, not just for better. A friend with integrity can be depended on to keep his word and to stick with you through thick and thin.

Integrity touches every area of life, not just now but in the long run. And it can sometimes seem like a rare commodity. But the choices of a person with integrity become a blessing not only to that person but to everyone he or she relates to.

Uncommon Key > Integrity is an inward characteristic with outward consequences that make a lasting difference. Approach everything you do each day with integrity.