The Beginners Guide to Integrity
Be Who You Are
It was a thrilling night of food, laughter, and Bible Trivia. Those invited were encouraged to wear a costume, only one woman did, an outfit she put together in a matter of minutes. It didn’t require too much effort, just a willingness to try and the risk to wear it. There was a gripping discovery in the room though. As we handed out prizes, we came to the time to present the best costume award. Of course, the young woman who is still in college, was the only contender so by default, she received her prize. Not much later another young man, also in college, came up to me discreetly at the small high round table I was running the event from. He approached me and showed me a costume he had, still in the package unopened. It was the same costume I was wearing, an Egyptian ensemble, waiting to be showcased. Instead, it remained in the package. “I was going to wear it, but I didn’t think anyone else would wear one so I didn’t.”
How many of us are like this young college student? We look around to see if anyone else is taking the risk of being themselves before we will embrace who we are. I made the mistake of giving him a prize for the thought, but I should have told him, “if you would have taken the leap of courage and worn the costume, you could have won the prize.” Like many professors, coaches, and parents, we too often reward minimal effort. We should set a standard that stimulates people to own their gifts and talents and to give their utmost in developing them. Part of being credible is showing integrity. If you are especially brilliant in math, ace every test you are given. Offer to help tutor others. Hiding your aptitude steals value both from yourself and others. Be who God created you to be. Humility is not hiding your treasure. Humility is finding ways to share your treasure with others. Taking your gift and blessing others with it is generous and commendable. Pride sets in when use our abilities and privileges to benefit ourselves only.
I wonder if that young man went away inspired to be more confident in who he is and what he is doing. I wonder if you will be more courageous in being yourself, especially when everyone else around you isn’t.
