My wife and I recently took a long weekend to travel, enjoy some downtime, and visit some places we’ve never been. There were many highlights of the trip, such as easy flights, a scenic road trip in a rental car, great food, craft beer, and we met some nice people along the way. On the final night of the trip, we went to see our favorite band play a sold-out concert at a large venue. It was fantastic!
Upon checking out of our hotel the next morning, we went to the parking deck to retrieve our rental car, and something immediately caught our attention: A piece of paper underneath one of the windshield wipers. Not a good sign.
The paper was a handwritten note with an apology: “So sorry, I scuffed the front of your car while pulling out.” Fortunately, the person left her name (Wendy), address, and phone number so that we could figure out insurance, etc. As frustrated as we were that the car was banged up (eventually learning the damages were ~$1500), we were thankful that Wendy demonstrated integrity.
Less than two weeks later, our personal car was parked in a deck overnight, and the next day, we found the vehicle had been hit. The two incidents were hundreds of miles away, yet the same scenario – the front corner of the vehicle was sideswiped. Unfortunately, this time the other driver lacked integrity; there was no note, no apology, no accountability.
Think about the impact and reach of each decision. Wendy came clean and while it was negatively impactful from a financial perspective, she lives with honor and character, knowing she did the right thing – and best, when no one was looking. We are here on this planet for a reason, and each interaction, each choice, is an opportunity to live out that purpose either for God’s plan or deny it. As the recipient of Wendy’s honesty, I really wasn’t even upset about the accident. I was thankful and felt bad for her.
The other person left with guilt and shame. While this person likely felt like he or she was getting away with something, in the end, that guilt piles up, eats at us, and is tough to shake. As for me, it was a bit harder to forgive this person. I had some initial angry thoughts, “what kind of person…” but then saw this as a metaphor for faith and hope, and a reminder that we’ve all sinned so who am I to hold back forgiveness from someone who has hurt me – even those I don’t know?
Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. (Revelation 21:27)
No smashed cars. No hidden guilt.
Until then, we live here, being shaped by daily tests of character and faith. Tests of whether we will tell the truth, take responsibility, and extend Christlike forgiveness, even when it’s undeserved.
So how are you being tested today? Who do you need to forgive? And where might God be inviting you to choose integrity – especially when no one else is watching?