While having breakfast at a restaurant this morning I encountered a question and answer that gave me food for thought. A couple came into the restaurant and immediately walked back to the table area by-passing the hostess who does the seating. The woman walked up to what was presumably her preferred waitress and asked where she was. The waitress responded by pointing across the room and stating clearly, “I’m over there.” The woman responded positively and the couple went over and sat down at the table that the waitress had pointed to.
Perhaps this brief communication would not puzzle you. However, I confess a brief moment of confusion at the thought that when asked where a person was that you could clearly see followed by a response of pointing to a totally different area then where the person was standing made me wonder if there had been a brief shift in the time space continuum. OK, perhaps I’m overreacting to a simple question, but it did get me to thinking.
How many times do people ask questions and receive answers that obviously are not right and yet go ahead and act on it. The waitress was clearly not across the room, even if she was assigned to wait on that table that she pointed to. More often though, how often do we ask leaders about their beliefs or positions on matters, are given their answer and act on it… even when we know their reputation does not support it?
When we speak of politicians many people make their voting decision based on public sound bites. These are cleverly worded statements often scripted by speech writers and delivered by people who have them in memory if not their hearts. How often do we reach our decision based on the sound bite rather than the person’s record?
Of greater concern to me is our own personal integrity. Over time we develop a reputation, in our families, in the workplace and yes even in church. I wonder are we careful enough to rely on our reputation backing up our words or do we rely too much on an easy going character and smile. If so, are we any better than the politician? If we are to be someone who will have the respect of our families, coworkers and friends, our actions need to accurately reflect and support our words.
We are often quick to judge public figures. They can make a mistake and reporters and the public quickly attack. Yet for our own shortcomings we want lots of patience and lots of grace. Why not take the first step by walking a consistent walk of integrity. When our family, friends and coworkers want to know, “where we are” on an issue or how we feel about something, our actions should be the same place our words are. This is a special facet of integrity. Not just saying the right words but living the right words.
Let’s make sure people can see where we are and not have to rely on our words only. Remember Titus 1:16 KJV, “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”
Copyright © 2010 by Charles Lyons
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