Leadership - An Example of Integrity
Earlier this year, my wife admonished me, and it stung - in a good way. I was loading up cardboard and newspaper to drop off at the recycling center. When I was throwing it all in, she saw that in one box I hadn’t taken out some Styrofoam. I said, “Who cares, it all ends up in the same place,” as I nonchalantly threw it in the bin. She actually got really angry. She responded that what I did was wrong, and I should know better. She said that I was her example and she looked up to me. Ouch. My wife looks up to me? Trust me, I’ve done way worse than throwing away a little styrofoam in the Kroger dumpsters. But her reproach hit home. My wife looks up to me! I must do better to lead by example.
And not just our wives. Others too. Especially our children, whether they be five, 25, or 55. I still look up to my Dad - and he’s in his early 80s. He’s my example of a patient servant leader.
Paul says, “Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:15-16). Don't miss it. How we live in obedience to Christ has consequences.
It matters that we be the Christ-honoring example. It matters for our salvation and for the salvation of those who hear us and look up to us. It is faith first, and yes, actions too.
Every word of God proves true (Proverbs 30:5). If Scripture does not align with your systematic, change your systematic. Don’t try to scrunch Scripture into a devilish worldview so that you can shirk your responsibility. Honesty and integrity, based on God’s ethics and shown by our moral example, must be top of mind. Every day. Put that on your prayer list! Throw yourself into being the husband and dad - the godly example - God has commissioned you to be.
I heard a speech recently where the pastor bragged about his wealth, his power, his family’s superiority, and the proof of God’s blessing through material things. Yikes. Such boasting is hard to listen to. Instead of bragging about how great we are, our riches, intelligence, etc., let’s talk about Jesus. Let’s focus on what Jesus did on the cross and what He is doing now. Let’s train for godliness for fruitful impact now and for the life to come. You and I both know that this can't be done if we attempt to serve God and the devil. You have to choose.
I'm (slowly) learning the lesson of well-placed fear. We shall not fear men, failure, disparagement, poverty, illness, depression, or the accusations of those who love wordliness. But we shall rightly fear our Lord God. For our God has the power to save our souls.
God loves us and amazingly offers sincere friendship to us - He's the dearest of friends. But we can't have two masters. If money is the Lord of our lives, then, quite simply, we rob ourselves of true life (Proverbs 1:19).
So yes, we must fear God and listen obediently. Samuel says, "Now if you fear and worship the LORD and listen to his voice, and if you do not rebel against the LORD's commands, then both you and your king will show that you recognize the LORD as your God. But if you rebel against the LORD's commands and refuse to listen to him, then his hand will be as heavy upon you as it was upon your ancestors" (1 Samuel 12:14-15).
We see that Paul sets a high standard for Timothy - that applies to us as Christian leaders as well. We are to show believers by what we say, in the way we live, in our love, our faith, and our purity. The Christian standard is a high one - praise God! (1 Timothy 4:7-16).
So, what do we do? Well, if we are to throw ourselves into living with integrity, we must have a good plan And a commitment to being the example of a life of obedience to Jesus. Make a plan.
Yes, there will always be overbearing fools who prosper. Do not envy them or emulate them. Instead, like Samuel, be the example of a servant leader who lives above reproach, does not cheat, does not take from God’s people, and does not pervert justice. Samuel, like Paul, reminded the people that salvation is from God and that training for godliness is a reward in itself (1 Samuel 12).
Lord Jesus, help us to plan well and live well today. Lord Jesus, You say, "But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm" (Proverbs 1:33). Please help us to listen and to live courageously for You today. Amen.
Monsignor Romero - In touring El Salvador last week, I learned of how this faithful man, Romero, was murdered in El Salvador for telling the people of the nation to follow God, not the gangsters.
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