Honor, Integrity, and Commitment. By Jill Krueger Wagner

What do you think of when you read those words?  What does it mean to display honor, integrity, and commitment?

I think of a quote by D.L. Moody. He said, “Character is what you are in the dark.” People with honor, integrity, and commitment show character all the time even in the dark and when nobody is watching. But in today’s world the world is watching (and judging) every little thing.

When an honorable person knows that doing the right thing will result in pain for themselves, they do it anyway. That isn’t easy. There is such a temptation to take the comfortable way. Most of us have given in to follow “the broad path that leads to destruction” a time or two. We want to do the right thing but we can shove our noble desires down and let our thoughts of self-preservation reign. Does that mean we lack honor or does it just mean we are flawed people who sometimes chose survival over doing the right thing. I can clearly hear Jesus saying, “The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.”

All this came to mind today when I read about Naomi Osaka bulking at honoring her contract to talk to the media. On one hand my heart breaks for her. We all know how depression has resulted in tragedy for those who struggle with it – it is not something to be taken lightly. Self-image takes an awful hit when depressed. We also know that the news media can be a brutal, nasty group. I wonder doesn’t her media representative prepare her ahead of time with probable questions and prep her with good answers?  Yet, in a society governed by law, shouldn’t the question of being able to handle horrible media be addressed before signing a contract that requires it?

Furthermore, if we want more civility from our news media, shouldn’t we demand it? Too often news people ask questions, not looking for answers, as Talbot Davis says, but “to gain an advantage.”  They won’t change unless the public demands a change. We need to contact those giving the media a bad name, causing undo stress on players, and require them to be respectful.