Fall Workshop Devotional for Informatics 2017

We live in a relative world. Anyone can make anything seem good while someone else can take the same idea and make it evil. Listen to what people say, listen to the media -- they say one thing one day and the exact opposite the next day depending on what their motives are. The scariest part of it is that they will vehemently defend both of their "sides" because in their mind they have justified their reasoning.

I am discouraged by the lack of integrity in today's world. I am often taken aback when having discussions with people about the definition of integrity. It seems so simple right versus wrong. Many of you were brought up in Christian homes and you come to college with clear standards of what is right and what is wrong. In the movie, City Slickers (1991), Billy Crystal's character's sidekick was asking him what famous person he would cheat on his wife for and Billy Crystal said he wouldn't and after that his friend pushed him further trying to entice him with the old adage - no one would know! Billy Crystal replied, "...I would know." That to me is the definition of integrity. It's what you do when know one is looking or analyzing. 

My pastor, RB Thieme, Jr. in his book, The Integrity of God states, "...whatever integrity can achieve comes only through a continuous series of decisions, through the proper and honorable use of volition. And in the same way that we gain human integrity, we can also lose it. We must constantly decide to do the right things and not to do the wrong things... We have integrity if we make enough decisions in favor of what we know to be right. But if we make too many decisions in violation of what we know to be right, we have no integrity."

I would like to challenge you to think about integrity, think about every choice you make. Hesitate for one second and ask yourself if it is the right choice or are you justifying your actions in order to do what you want to do? Some examples to consider:

• Do I do my homework instead of re-reading the policy that I don't quite have down yet?
• Do I visit or text my significant other instead of completing the every shift checklist? 
• My shift is only minutes, the next person can take the second count.
• Do I brush passed that patron that was obviously struggling with the computer because I need to get back and submit that assignment?
• Do I use the library account to print my jobs for "free?"

Ted Key, an American cartoonist and writer said, "Every job is a self-portrait of the person who does it. Autograph your work with excellence." That quote really struck me. Your integrity should define who you are. Do you want to be thought of as a good worker who projected a facade of integrity? OR do you want to be the person that stands out because everything you do represents integrity; someone who always chooses to do the right thing no matter how annoying or how minute the detail. You would be surprised at how many people you impact when you exhibit consistent integrity. You become a person that others trust and depend on. You become the person that they turn to for advice and guidance.

Our Informatics challenge is to work on our integrity not only on the job but in all walks of life. Our verse for the year: 2 Corinthians 8:21, for we have regard for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

Some additional integrity verses:
2 Timothy 1:14, Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.
Proverbs 7:23, For as he thinks within himself, so he is.
James 04:17, Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do, and does not do it, to him it is sin.
Romans 12:2, And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
2 Timothy 1:14, Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.
Psalms 90:12, So teach us to number our days, That we may present to Thee a heart of wisdom.
Proverbs 21:3, To do righteousness and justice; Is desired by the Lord more than sacrifice.