Red Firetrucks

The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot. The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin. Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out. (Proverbs 10:7-9 ESV). Unfortunately, we have grown accustomed to shrugging off secretive and deceptive lifestyles. We have heard so often that being people who value honesty and model responsibility, who promote fairness, accountability, loyalty, and respect for others, and who hold to strong, upright convictions is not at all realistic. Such reasoning reminds me of a little ridiculous piece of nonsense I read recently. It is titled “Why are Fire Engines Red?” They have four wheels and eight men; Four plus eight is twelve; Twelve inches makes a ruler; A ruler is Queen Elizabeth; Queen Elizabeth sails the seven seas; The seven seas have fish; The fish have fins; The Finns hate the Russians; The Russians are red; Fire engines are always rushin'; So that's why they're red. My passionate plea is that we unearth and restore the concept of character. It's been buried long enough. It belongs first on our list when searching for employees in our pursuit of excellence in the workplace. It must be nonnegotiable among those we place into leadership positions in our schools, our churches, our cities, our state, in our nation. Character is what wholesome parents strive to cultivate in their children. It is what good parents look for and long for among those their teenagers date. It is the foundational quality that all of us expect from the circle of professionals and laborers who serve us up close and personal, our physician, our pastor, our attorney, our counselor, our teacher, our CPA, our banker, our builder, our police officer, our mechanic, our plumber, our repairman, and many more. We may not say it every time, but deep down in our souls, we long for and expect character, and when it is lacking, we feel it; we resent it. It is the "given" in greatness. Before we loudly proclaim it missing in someone else, perhaps we should look at ourselves. Character is best taught by example. What example are you setting? I hope you have voted today. That’s a place to start. Walk in integrity today and everyday!