August 9, 2007
Good Call -- Living by Integrity
Submitted by Missionary J. Daniels Revised and Expanded by Chaplain Todd
Reuben Gonzales was in the final match of a professional racquetball tournament. It was his first shot at a victory on the pro circuit, and he was playing the perennial champion.
In the fourth and final game, at match point, Gonzales made a super "kill" shot into the front wall to win it all. The referee called it good. One of the two linesmen affirmed that the shot was in.
But Gonzales, after amoment’s hesitation, turned around, shook his opponent's hand, and declared that his shot had hit the floor first. As a result, he lost the match. He walked off the court. Everybody was stunned.
Who could ever imagine it in any sport or endeavor? A player, with everything officially in his favor, with victory in his hand, disqualified himself at match point and lost!
When asked why he did it, Reuben said, "It was the only thing I could do to maintain my integrity."
Reuben Gonzales realized that he could always win another match, but he could never regain his lost integrity. Integrity is something no one should ever risk losing. It takes consistency over a period time to be noted as a person of integrity. However, you can loose your right to be called a person of integrity in an instance.
Never tire of doing the right thing, go the extra mile to get the job done correctly because you are a person of integrity. Remember, it is not the moment that you are in, but the lifetime of how you shall be remembered. Always strive to plant truth, honesty, and integrity on your pathway of life that you are treading. It is never too late to go in the right direction. Ability will enable a person to the top, but it takes character to keep him there.
Matthew 6:19-20 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; "but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. (NKJV)
LET US PRAY: Blessed Lord, the Bible reveals that we are made in your image and our life should serve as a testimony to our character. We cannot change the past, but we can start this night with a commitment to excel as a person of integrity. Each day we have the opportunity to do the right thing, to be a helping hand and a voice of truth. Grant us wisdom in how we should live so that our decisions are easily made by choosing to do the right thing, all the time. Amen