PRO DAD

Oh What a Night!

         It was one of those nights where the temperature was just right, the breeze perfect, the moon was full, and the stars were bright.  I could not resist taking a little time on my back deck to relax and enjoy the night sky.  As I sat there looking at the wonderful display of God’s creation my mind began to wander.  I thought, "Wow… why would the creator of all of this care about me?  Why would He even put me on this planet?  What is my true purpose?”  Then I started thinking about my life.  I asked, "Am I doing what God wants me to do?  How am I pleasing Him?  Is there something that I can do for God that will bring Him more glory?  If so, what can I do differently?”

           After a few minutes of "soul searching” my questions became more challenging.  I thought, "How am I doing as a husband?  Am I succeeding as a father?  And, what example am I leaving for my neighbors and friends?”

         Man, these were some tough questions.  It’s funny how spending a little time reflecting on God and His creation can move you to contemplate your own life.  The answers to all these questions are clearly answered in the Bible.  At the end of this article, I will give you some passages that you can look up and study concerning your "worth” to God and what He’s called you to do.  But, I really want to focus the next few paragraphs on the last few questions.   The questions about how we are doing as husbands and fathers, and the question of the example that we portray to our friends and neighbors.  These are questions, which concern the level of integrity you have as a man.

         In considering this, I am led to a more precise question; "Are you a man of integrity in your relationships with your spouse, your children, and your friends?

         Integrity is defined as "an adherence to moral and ethical principles; having sound moral character; being honest; being whole or complete; honorable.”  Or, in the words of the great theologian and country singer Aaron Tippin "You’ve gotta stand for something or you’ll fall for anything.”  It is pretty easy to understanding what integrity is, but it is incredibly difficult to consistently live according to it’s challenge.  The word itself calls us to be morally and ethically upright in all our thoughts and actions.  It presses us to be honest and admirable in every life situation.  And, it moves us to be recognized by others as being honorable men.  With this in mind, we are called by God to be men of integrity.

         In Proverbs 2:6-8 Solomon writes "For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints.”  Here, God is teaching us through His scripture that He will protect those who "walk in integrity, and give them wisdom to make right decisions.”  In this world we need some protection.  And of course, men need Godly wisdom.  This is a promise worth claiming.  And Proverbs 10:9 states, "Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.”  The key here is, if you walk in integrity, your life will be more secure, but if you choose to go out from under the protection of God, you will get caught.  Why would you even want to walk away from the instruction of an all-knowing, all-loving, and all-powerful God?

Rick Warren, the pastor of Saddleback Community Church puts it this way… "Integrity is built by defeating the temptation to be dishonest; humility grows when we refuse to be prideful; and endurance develops every time you reject the temptation to give up.”

In Titus 2:7-8 we read…” Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.”

Being honest and humble are often "big pills” for a man to swallow.  But, if you are going to be a man of integrity, these characteristics have to be evident in your life.  Other things like, "pridefulness" must to be dealt with on a daily basis as well.  And, the ability to endure against the never-ending lure of evil will always be a challenge.  But, I John 4:4 tells me "greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world.”  And in Romans 8:37 we are reminded that "through Jesus, we have overcome the world.”

So, while sitting and humming the tune to the 1970’s song "oh what a night”, I’m thrilled to know that it is possible for me to become a Man of Integrity, a man of character, a man that my family can be proud of.

Bottom-line: 

What about you?…. Are you a man of Integrity?

Ric Callahan is the Minister to Children at Eden Westside Baptist Church in Pell City, Alabama, the founder of Family Quest Ministries and the Director of ProDad.org.