The Right Thing for the Right Reason

An interesting component of Joseph’s character was his ability to carve out a niche for himself despite difficult conditions. From his adolescence, he was not given a choice about where or how he would spend his life. Yet he had this fantastic capacity for thinking rationally and logically toward discovering how to use a situation for his best good.

 

C. S. Lewis said in Mere Christianity, "Right actions done for the wrong reason do not build the quality of character known as integrity. It’s this quality of character that matters.” The reason for Joseph’s conduct was his strong belief that God had a purpose for him wherever he was and whatever he had to do.

Joseph found a niche for himself in prison, but it was his integrity that convinced the warden to trust him. So, when he least expected it, he was summoned to the court of Pharaoh, King of Egypt. God had a place for him because he demonstrated faith and integrity in every situation. Joseph consistently did the right thing for the right reason.  

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The one who lives with integrity will be helped, but one who distorts right and wrong will suddenly fall.

~Proverbs 28:18 Holman Christian Standard Bible

In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

~Titus 2:7-8 New International Version

The integrity of the honest keeps them on track; the deviousness of crooks brings them to ruin. 

~Proverbs 11:3 The Message

Find Possibilities in the Impossible

Life does not always deal us an easy or fair hand. There are situations where we must learn to cope and make the most of what we have. In God’s Word we’re given the story of Jacob, who married two sisters - not because he chose to do so, but because to have Rachel, the one he loved, Leah her older sister came as part of the package.

 

Jacob, Leah and Rachel had separate negative perceptions about this arrangement but were forced to adjust to what seemed like an impossible situation. For Jacob, it would be keeping peace between the sisters. To accomplish this task, he would be put continuously in the position of doing whatever it took to please them.

Leah and Rachel’s assignment included managing a situation where there was no legitimate or acceptable way to escape. Life is not fair, and God does not promise us a rose garden. To manage unfortunate hardships, it’s crucial to see them as God's purpose for us and view them as opportunities to change and grow. You can do that. 

Choosing at the Crossroads - Part 3

A word picture from the New Testament portrays Jesus pressing on toward the task that lay before him. He refused to be distracted. In the days before his crucifixion, he was determined to press on toward Jerusalem to meet his critics, his enemies, and those who loved and cared for him. He knew God's purpose for his life.

He was tempted by Satan to take the easy road. His disciples and friends begged him to bypass the cross, but he stayed on course. Where did this unrelenting resilience come from that enabled him to accomplish God's purpose? Resilience is a character quality that balances determination and pain in the pursuit of given objective.

Resilience does not indicate the absence of weakness that makes a person subject to fatigue, grief, or even physical handicaps. Under-girding resilience is faith that overrides anxiety and fear or even discouragement. Faith is a gift from God that's available to all who believe in Christ Jesus who ask for it,  gladly accept it, and use it for God's purpose.

Crisis and Reality - Part 1

The word crisis from the Chinese language means opportunity or danger. Danger represents a potential change or loss from which great pain can be prolonged for years. Danger implies a potential crisis you're forced to face regardless of other choices you would rather make. Opportunity suggests positive choices with minimal stress.

The effectiveness with which we handle a crisis is connected to our ability to manage reality constructively. Ability includes a mentality for comprehending the seriousness of a given situation including a sense of what and who caused a crisis. Ability indicates skills that will be used to affect a productive change.

A personal crisis may come from neglecting our body, family, work, or other relationships. Constructively managing reality begins by giving Christ Jesus first place in your life. It means trusting him with every aspect of your life. When you activate this step, you're in a position to choose opportunities that advance God's purpose and plan for your life.

Finding God's Purpose in Difficult Times - Part 3

Surviving or just getting by isn't an acceptable lifestyle for most people. Striving for something better is driven by a need to succeed. Marginal existence is unacceptable because it violates an internal code that says we're capable of reaching higher. Parents want their children to excel, for under-achieving creates sadness and frustration for most parents.

Survival is defined differently by those who comprise each socioeconomic class. Survival can be an issue even for those living in opulence. The 1960's produced a generation of young people who found little meaning in their parents' lifestyle. Survival meant rejecting the status quo as well as the conventionality of their parents.

For survival to have a full, rich meaning, it must include an acceptable purpose for life. Jesus said, "I have come that you might have life, and have it to the full." Jesus is referring to a rich spiritual life that anchors the heart and soul.  He challenges us to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. This objective gives survival a new meaning and purpose.  

Finding God's Purpose in Difficult Times - Part 2

A nation's moral and spiritual values seem to ebb and flow with the character of its leaders. Great Britain evolved into a great nation during the nineteenth century because of innate inventiveness, which was the moving force behind its manufacturing industry. Naval supremacy gave Britain a political edge in the affairs of the world during that century.

However these points of power did not define Britain's total character. Personal values derived from a strong Christian faith defined their integrity, as hard work was a benchmark for success. These character strengths gave rise to a concern for the welfare of mankind. During World War II, their faith and trust in God got them through the dark days of war.

Personal crisis eventually will visit everyone. Surviving a crisis demands change in the arrangement of priorities. Coming back to God by giving Christ Jesus first place in your life is required for making healthy choices. Surviving the consequences of a crisis takes endurance and a resilience that faith in God provides. Faith is God's gift to you.  

Finding God's Purpose in Difficult Times - Part 1

Personal failures can have such long-term consequences that survival may seem questionable. John Edward Pine-Coffin, a military surgeon, served aboard an English ship during the Boer War. Following this war he tried to establish a private practice in England, which resulted in failure and initiated a personal crisis. Survival meant re-enlisting in the military.

In 1842 on a military ship bound for New South Wales, depressed and confused, he was forced to assess his faith in God. He described his faith as "a belief that every life event and action follows the plan and will of God." Sorrow for sin and its consequences was endurable through his love and trust for Christ Jesus. This gave him hope for the future.

Changes that occur during crises often prove to be temporary in duration. Edward Pine survived personal crisis through making choices that demonstrated commitment for permanent change. With God's help and the power of Christ in you, hope exists for permanent change. Trusting God with all your heart is a choice worth making.

Conscience, Your Inner Voice: To Heed or Not To Heed? - Part 3

Is it possible to silence the voice of conscience? Personal conduct is managed by our value system, so overruling the voice of conscience is possible,  but not advisable. Alcohol and street drugs are a deterrent to heeding what our  conscience tries to communicate. Anger, resentment, and bitterness also play a major role in silencing the sounds of conscience.

As you consider these words, what parallel thoughts are you aware of right now? Parallel thoughts can be significant messages that your conscience is trying to convey. Do these thoughts signal danger you need to heed? History verifies that misfortune is related to weakness of character and conscience.

God's desire is to cleanse your conscience so that your conduct gives witness to his power in your life. You can choose to change and conform to God's purpose for your life. 2 Corinthians 1:12 reminds us, "Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in ways that witness the holiness and sincerity that are from God." This is a worthy objective.  

Damaged Integrity: Restoring and Rebuilding - Part 2

There's an interesting biographical book and movie called "Catch Me if You Can" about a man who was skilled in creating identities that allowed him to remain a fugitive. To him it was an art as much as it was an escape from justice. God equips us with gifts and talents, but we have the responsibility of choosing whether to use our God-given intelligence and skills for good or for evil.

Our integrity is measured by how we choose to use what God assigns us. Integrity is designed to be a guide for making godly choices. Integrity will serve as a guard against reacting detrimentally to oneself or others. In the Bible, Job is projected as a man of integrity, for in his darkest days he refused to abandon what he knew was right for him.

Being deceptive can harm or even destroy our integrity. Choose to change by believing God's purpose and plan replicates what is good and right for you. Trust God to give you wisdom to act on what will support the highest level of integrity. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." 

Finding Purpose in Life's Ups and Downs - Part 3

Integrity determines how success or failure is managed. Personal failure can be devastating because failure is attached to our values, morals, and sense of uprightness. It is not unusual to overestimate what we can do with the skills and abilities that God has given us, but failure does not require a denunciation of who we are as persons.

By his mercy, kindness, and forgiveness God will, by Christ Jesus, renew a meaningful and purposeful spirit within us. Finding purpose beyond failure is where integrity plays a major role. When we are enlightened and strengthened by the Holy Spirit, our integrity prevents us from lapsing into despair when failure, whether perceived or real, comes our way.

A friend was forced to take early retirement, but resigning to a life without purpose was out the question. Instead, he determined to find a new purpose for the remaining time God would give him. His integrity allowed him to use this crisis as a means for determining how all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to his purpose.  

Finding Purpose in Life's Ups and Downs - Part 2

Is it possible to live without purpose? People will devise a purpose, even if contrived of nothing more than accumulating things. Material things provide only short-term pleasure and do little to strengthen and solidify your integrity. Integrity is strengthened and fortified when you know that your life, your ideals, and beliefs exist for a significant, godly purpose.

Speaking on this subject, General Douglas MacArthur said, "You don't get old from living a specific number of years; you get old because you abandon your ideals. Years wrinkle your skin, but renouncing your ideals wrinkles your soul. Worry, doubt, fear, and despair are enemies that bring us down and turn us to dust before we die." An ideal is an honorable or worthy principle that supports integrity.

Believing you have a godly purpose for living is a wonderful choice. Purpose for living is a blessing to God that brings hope to yourself and others. Never close the door to what God can do with you, whatever your age. Jesus stands at the door of your life waiting for an invitation to come in. 

Integrity: Character Strength for a Lifetime - Part 1

The years between youth and retirement often are filled with giving your absolute best for the highest possible achievement, yet both success and failure are prevalent on the pathway to retirement. You're well aware of the determined adolescent who leaves home for college only to return home a semester later unable to re-enroll because of poor grades.

Getting back on track is a requirement at specific intervals along the way to success. What helps is knowing that God is at work to provide confidence for facing an uncertain future. Jesus gave us these words of challenge. "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, about your body, what you will wear." He's telling us to re-focus. God cares and will provide.

Moving past failure and disappointment is ultimately dependent on faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, who endows us with intrinsic value and self-worth. This motivates us to be receptive to God's purpose for us as our aging consistently progresses onward. God gives us wisdom and discernment for choosing what is appropriate at each stage of our development.

Accomplishment: A Fresh Look - Part 3

Taking stock of how you spend your time and what you've achieved is critical to establishing new objectives and goals. Employers consistently outline objectives and goals they expect employees to accomplish. Your job security depends on complying with what's expected. Taking stock includes seriously and honestly evaluating compliance and performance with what is expected.

I heard someone say, "My golf game has improved a hundred percent this year, but my work and family life have suffered." These words may be an honest assessment, but they imply neglect and irresponsibility. Jesus, speaking to the religious teachers of the day, accused them of neglecting the important matters of the law - mercy, justice, and faithfulness.

There are times when neglect can produce grave consequences, but by  choosing to change, repenting, and requesting God's help, a fresh start is possible. Romans 12:21 offers this initiative. "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Christ in you is your hope for change.  

Accomplishment: A Fresh Look - Part 2

What would you say is your greatest accomplishment in the time frame God has given you so far? It's helpful to measure our progress against the goals we set in place at an earlier date because we encounter distractions. Distractions may have been associated with a crisis or with opportunities that couldn't be passed up. Sometimes original objectives need to be re-prioritized.

In some cases it's appropriate to let go of a hope or dream that could not come to fruition. It may be impossible to reach an objective because of issues and factors beyond our control. It's important to evaluate carefully and prayerfully what role God's purpose and objectives play when disappointments or downright failure are unpreventable.

Celebrating what you have accomplished and what God has provided is a positive way to take stock and accept what could not come to fruition. Philippians 3:14 instructs us press on to what is possible. "Forgetting what is behind, I press onward toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me." This is a good and godly choice.