the sojourner

INTEGRITY COMPONENT V: Being Oriented Toward Growth

The fifth component to an Integrated Character is being Oriented Toward Growth (or Increase). Because of the potential for misunderstanding, it’s worth looking at what this component isn’t before looking at what it is.

Wisdom literature from all sorts of traditions and cultures warn against greed, an ungrateful attitude, gaining at the cost of other people’s lives and conspicuous consumption. What this component does not indicate is that a person must be willing to be a bulldozer to “make it� in life (personal and work). What this component speaks to is the important task of looking ahead and not simply managing tools and other resources, including money. Management of resources (good stewardship) is important in running a life, a company, a church, a country, etc. It’s necessary and in some instance more necessary than simple management to have the ability to fill the hunger of grateful discontent.

What does this mean?

A person who is oriented toward increase or growth will respond to his or her grateful discontent. There should be no confusion, grateful discontent is not envy or pursuit of self-value or wealth for the sake of wealth. If a person sees a need (say the need for Bibles, life-saving medicine, free counseling services) and he or she can make a million dollars toward the goals, they will (if they have become oriented toward increase and growth) immediately wonder “how can I make $3 Million?� They are wondering with a grateful heart and joy, what is around the corner, and what can be down the road? They are satisfied, but they are always on the look out for the next great possibility, and they are investing in the future (theirs, and in the futures of those causes that they hold near).

This sort of person has a personal structure that compels them toward growth. This component is lived out first in their personal life, and then it spills out into the sphere of their influence. A glance at their itinerary or books will reveal time and money spent on seminars, mentors, counselors, training, education and other personal improvement activities (yes, this may include the gym!).

Here is another key thing about being oriented toward growth: they keep a circle of people around them! They always have a mentor (someone farther down the road then they are), someone they are mentoring (someone not as far down the road as they are), and they have people laterally with them to support. In other words, they grow with others.