The CBS television show The Amazing Race told the stories of several teams as they raced around the globe for a one-million-dollar prize. The pressures of the race revealed the character of the participants. Some would lie or cheat, while others show integrity, like that displayed by Uchenna and his wife, Joyce during the 2005 season.

 

In the final leg of the race, they started out with no possessions and no money. They threw themselves at the mercy of strangers asking for money or rides in order to complete the tasks required to finish. They managed to hire a cab, but while they were on the way, the fare exceeded the amount of money they had collected. Uchenna warned the cab driver that they didn't have enough money to cover the fare if they went any further, but promised he would make up the difference and take care of the cabbie once they arrived.

 

The cabbie agreed, and Uchenna and Joyce arrived first just yards from the finish line. All that was needed to win one million dollars was to enter a gate and cross the line. They handed the cabbie all the money they had and even offered him Uchenna's wedding ring, hoping it would be enough, but the cabbie refused, saying, "I don't need rings. I need money."

 

Uchenna and Joyce hopped out of the cab, stared at the gate knowing the prize was theirs if only they would walk through it. But Uchenna had made a promise, and his integrity with this stranger was more important than winning. His wife suggested they run through the gate, collect the prize, and then come back and pay the cabbie, but he said, "No. I've got to take care of this man."

 

They again relied on the kindness of strangers, and then thanked the people that gave them anything. And to people who said, "Begging isn't the way to go," they said, "I understand. Thank you anyway."

 

Meanwhile, Rob and Amber, CBS Survivor winners notorious for underhanded game playing, were getting so close that they could see Uchenna and Joyce just outside the gate. It looked as though after all they'd been though, Uchenna and Joyce would lose because they had too much integrity to break a promise.

 

Finally, someone gave them the last $10, and the cabbie told them, "Enough! You're free to go." Uchenna and Joyce made a run through the gate. They not only won first prize, but they did so with integrity.

 

Integrity's reward does not often result in a cash prize. The real rewards are in purity of character, a clean conscience before God, right relationships, and the untainted joy of doing the right thing.

 

"I delight to do Your will oh my God; Your law is within my heart."                     Psalm 40:8

 

For Christians, honesty and integrity isn't merely the BEST policy, it's the ONLY policy.  "Lord, help me to live a life of integrity for You...today and every day. Amen!"

 

Have a great day and God bless!

 

 

 

Pastor Mike / The Open Word