Ignoring the voices in the crowd

  • Published
  • By Chaplain (Capt.) Brian Honett
  • 445th Airlift Wing Chaplain Corps
One of the Air Force core values is integrity. Integrity is often defined as doing what is right when no one is looking. That is a huge part of what it means to have integrity.

There are a lot of rules and regulations that govern our conduct as Airmen whether we are on duty or off. Often no one will see or know if you fail to follow them (at least for a while). Another important component of integrity is doing the right thing even when everyone around you wants you to do the wrong thing.

The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:33, "Bad company corrupts good character." You might be a powerful leader or a quiet follower but the same is true; the people around you are going to influence you.

Having integrity means choosing to do the right thing even if the influences around you encourage you to do the wrong thing. Pilate found that Jesus had done nothing wrong and was a powerful political figure, yet the yelling crowd around him convinced him to violate what he knew was right.

Maybe you have some things going on in your life. Maybe you have made some bad decisions because of those around you. It might be time to change up the crowd around you. Life is too tough to go it on your own, and you don't ever have to. You might need some encouragement, a voice to help push you toward the decision or action that you know is right. Maybe you've made some bad decisions because of the crowd and don't know what to do now. Maybe, just maybe, you simply want to talk to someone who will listen rather than lecture.

Whatever your situation is, we'd love to help. Give us a call or stop by the chaplain's office in building 4010. We want to help encourage you no matter what is going on in your life.