I spent a morning with Tuggeranong Uniting Church on Sunday exploring with people the challenges of Isaiah 58 and Jesus’ call to retain our saltiness and light-bearing nature. Our conversation opened with a photo (by Glenn Hunt) of a house split in half after Cyclone Yasi hit Innisfail. The house in Mourilyan (just south of Innisfail) had been separated into two sections before the cyclone hit, but fell apart during the storm. I first saw this house on television the morning after the cyclone hit the coast. A TV reporter was on the lookout for newsworthy damage and settled on this one, thinking the house had been cleft in half by a sheet of iron. It’s a spectacular photo and a useful photo. For me it symbolised the tension we continually face as we attempt to hold together different parts of our lives.
We moved on to a working definition of integrity as consistency of actions, values, methods, measures, principles, expectations, and outcomes. It’s about aligning what we think and believe with what we say and do. It’s about walking the talk.
There are lots of books around on personal integrity. But I think the readings on Sunday (Isaiah 58:1-12 and Matthew 5: 13-20) challenge us to consider the integrity of our lives together. How do we live out our commitments to justice and compassion in ways that go beyond statements of intent?
For inspiration we used two videos from the Mission Stories DVD. The 8.30 am service got to see the story of Emerald Uniting Church and their response to the floods of 2008. The 10 am service got to see the story of Ashmore Uniting Church and their development of a community of faith around their opportunity shop. We explored the tensions that both communities faced. Communities faced with danger and devastation find that the barriers of normal indifference are more easily dropped. Being ready to respond with hospitality requires practice the rest of the time.
As a newly arrived resident of Canberra I have the opportunity to address new questions of integrity. In my work I face the challenge of listening as much talking, being vulnerable without being boresome, being available to be with people without rushing into over functioning. Meeting my neighbours and other locals I’m aware that I’m getting ready for a long term commitment to sharing in the welfare of my community. And I’m reminded this week that the measure of integrity in all this is something I share with my colleagues and friends.