If you will walk before me, as your father David walked, with integrity of heart…I Kings 9:4a
What does integrity of the heart look like when we lead? It can easily be seen in those whose life, actions, calendar, and priorities reflect their values. Jesus demonstrated this so beautifully in Luke 4. He spent a long day teaching in the synagogue, escaping from an angry crowd who wanted to throw him off a cliff, rebuking demons, and healing Peter’s mother. He needed rest, so he went off to a quiet place. But the people found him, pleading that he continues to heal and teach. At this point, I know my ‘people pleasing’ side would have kicked in, and I’d have stuck around to heal and care for them – it’s important work, after all. But Jesus didn’t. He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities, also, for I was sent for this purpose.” (Luke 4:43) – He had integrity of heart, stayed true to the purpose God had given him, and set his priorities accordingly.
David made many bad choices as king, choices which did not align with God’s purpose for his life. But David always made the choice to confess and return to God. He has led with integrity for most of his life.
In virtually every survey by Kouzes and Posner, authors of the Leadership Challenge, over the last 20 years on leadership, integrity was identified more frequently than any other trait as being most desired in a leader. If we are to lead, we must have integrity of heart, stay true to the purpose God has given us and set our priorities accordingly.
Do your priorities align with your God-given purpose?
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