One of my favorite episodes of The Andy Griffith Show is Man in a Hurry. It is an episode that features a traveling businessman from the big city whose car breaks down in Mayberry. He spends most of the episode trying to get out of this small town and back to the “important life” in the city. As with several sitcoms from the 60’s, the characters of this town are endearing and in time, when his car is repaired, the businessman is reticent to leave.
I’ve contemplated why this show and others that are similar are still appealing 50 years later and I think it’s because, in their simplicity, they illustrate a time of integrity. Yes, I know these programs are make-believe, but I remember a time when a person’s word was enough and right was right and wrong was wrong. Period.
The word integrity comes from the Latin word, integritatem, which means wholeness. A person who has integrity is one who has a wholeness of character;
a possessor of a moral compass, even when no one is looking. These characteristics describe someone that had every reason to be bitter, angry and vindictive, and that is Joseph, son of Jacob.
You can read the account of Joseph’s life in the last handful of pages in the book of Genesis. His life seems to be one of privilege in chapter 37, but due to jealousy and resentment, his own brothers sell him as a slave. The slave buyers take him to Egypt and Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh’s guard, buys him.
Through hard work (Genesis 39), Joseph earns a place of respect and authority until Potiphar’s wife, in bitter revenge for not accepting her sexual advances, accuses him of rape. Joseph finds himself in prison and because he is a model inmate, the warden puts him in charge of all prisoners.
Through unusual circumstances, the warden brings Joseph before the Pharaoh and, with God’s help, interprets Pharaoh’s dreams. Pharaoh then promotes Joseph to second in command of Egypt (Genesis 40-41). During seven years of extreme famine, Joseph’s brothers, who sold him as a slave, come to Egypt to buy food. Joseph forgives them and his whole family comes to live with him (Genesis 42-50).
From Joseph’s life, we see someone who chose to live a life of integrity; he could not have based this choice upon his feelings.
- Joseph did the work his father assigned him, even though it made him unpopular with his brothers.
- Joseph puts his bitterness and anger aside and works faithfully as a slave and Potiphar notices.
- Even when Joseph is lied about, for making the right choice of not sleeping with Potiphar’s wife, he accepts something he had no control over and works with diligence as a prisoner.
- Joseph humbly uses the gifts God has given him and becomes second in command to Pharaoh.
- Joseph chooses forgiveness instead of a vengeance he could have doled out toward his brothers and reunites his family.
Integrity chooses:
- a solid work ethic.
- to let go of bitterness and anger and move forward instead of becoming mired in resentment.
- to refuse temptation because it’s the right thing to do.
- to use the gifts and abilities God has given, in whatever circumstances you find yourself.
- forgiveness instead of revenge.
All of our actions reflect our values, especially when circumstances are difficult. I had a professor in Bible college say once, when life squeezes you, people will see your true character by what juice comes out.
The everyday choices we make are important. Luke 16:10 says, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”
Integrity is the soul fitness choice necessary day by day and moment by moment. It is understanding that our actions are on display to God and those around us. What we do and don’t do in private is an indicator of choices we will make in our public responsibilities. Integrity matters. Don’t let it become an endangered species in your life. The choice is yours.
