Even one cog matters

Character is the result of two things: mental attitude and the way we spend our time. 

(Elbert Hubbard)

People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed. (Proverbs 10:9)

Honesty and strong moral principles are always stressed throughout scripture. Those who lacked one or the other usually found themselves in opposition to the will and intention of God, putting them in a place where the protection of God was often 'lifted' off their lives for a period of time. That period of time gave them a chance to see the full 'folly' of their sin and then repent. People of integrity enjoy the protection of God and choose to follow his plans over their own folly and sin. 

Jesus walked this earth with utmost integrity. You will find that his words and actions reflected how he chose to spend his time. He obviously took time to talk with is heavenly father and was never too busy to just enjoy those moments with him. The way we choose to spend our time, especially the first few minutes of our day, make a difference in how our day will proceed. Wake up all harried and frazzled, enter into that 'frazzle' and your day will likely proceed the same way. Take that frazzle to Jesus and allow him to sort it out before it gets underway and your day will likely proceed with much less 'frazzle' and a little more 'dazzle'!

When we choose to walk with integrity, we aren't afraid of our actions being exposed. We have nothing to hide. When we have a lack of integrity in our lives, we find we are always seeking ways to keep those areas of our lives 'hidden' from view. We don't want exposure. It would be uncomfortable, and we'd have some 'explaining' to do. When we choose to allow one moral principle to 'slip', others will soon follow in our lives. We might not think there will be very much of an 'outflow' of that loss of principle, but even one 'cog' on a wheel worn down or missing will cause the wheel to no longer turn as it should! Just sayin!