The Struggle for Integrity
Referencing Boone Nova and the 5th Prime novel – The Struggle for Integrity.
In my novel, Boone Nova and the 5th Prime – The Struggle for Integrity, Lorin – the prime’s daughter, makes an interesting point when confiding in Boone and how she was able to completely trust him. Boone, knowing he was nothing but a space bum, scavenger, junk dealing vagabond couldn’t comprehend the faith she had in him. After all, Boone doubted his own abilties and when it came to faith – he thought he was a failure. She told him during their adventure, “I don’t trust you because my father – the 5th Prime, trusts you, I trust you because what I hear you say matches up with what I see you do.”
She went on to explain: what Boone was on the outside, was also what Boone was on the inside! So many of us find that concept altogether unreachable. Regardless, we should examine ourselves to see if what we are inwardly matches up with what we are outwardly?
I’m not a doom and gloom pessimistic philosopher, I’m just a layman who believes that God has called every one of us to do something for Him. I’m trying to do my part. Having said that, Integrity has become an issue nowadays and I’d like to express what God has shown me.
Integrity is by definition; to exercise moral or ethical principles, to have character, to be honest, honorable or have virtue.
If you’re as observant as I am, the lack of integrity is prevalent everywhere! It doesn’t discriminate; blue collar – white collar, rich or poor, young and old, people lack integrity. Also, regardless of one’s religious preference, whether people say they are Christian, Protestant, Baptist, Muslim or anything else, people still lack integrity. I’ve seen all types of religious people say one thing and do another. Yes, I’ll have to include myself in that crowd as I am not perfect nor claim to be an expert in the area of integrity… but I strive for it.
Integrity is something we should all strive for and let’s go a step further, it should be something we’re conscious of every day and make it our goal to live a life of integrity. Wow, did I say that? Though you think it might be impossible, it should be our goal. Let’s take a look at how we’re doing in the area of integrity. Here are some questions to ponder. You determine how you’re doing.
- Do you believe integrity is important?
- Do you need to exercise integrity ‘all of the time?’
- Aren’t there exceptions?
- Do you allow others to diminish your desire for integrity?
- Do you ever ask yourself, ‘What’s the right thing to do?’
- How often do you regret lacking in integrity?
- Are you conscious about trying to do what’s right on a daily basis?
If you’re honest with yourself, you’ll realize where you stand in the area of integrity. Now add this to your thinking… integrity is something that God demands in us. That’s right! He doesn’t ever expect us to fully get there because that would be perfection. The only person I know of that was perfect was Jesus – God’s Son.
We will never be perfect in this temporal life but we’re expected to strive for it.
Verses to study:
KJV, Philippians 4:8,
“Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Luke 6:27-31
The entire Book of Proverbs!
As we see integrity lacking in our world today, let’s not be part of it. Take a stand today and begin a bible study on Integrity. There are millions of us out there who are doing just that, though you don’t hear much about it. You’ll see it and hear about it more as you grow in character.
Some great studies regarding character can be found in the Life of Joseph – in the Book of Genesis, the Three Hebrew Children in Babylon – Book of Daniel, and Daniel himself.
Also, keep an eye on Boone Nova as he finds himself in deep trials, stressful decisions, and difficult struggles. He is far from perfect but he is doing his best in the struggle for integrity.