The Joy of Honest Living

My husband and I spent many years as missionaries in a country where people were kind and generous. While my husband worked as a pastor, my job was teaching English to high school students. During those years, there were only three schools where English was the language of instruction. Our school had always had a long student waiting list, for we could accommodate only five hundred students from first to twelfth grades.

Most of my students came from rich families whose chauffeurs drove them to school in Mercedes-Benzes. One day during the class discussion, we happened to talk about the challenges of driving in that very large city. At some point in the discussion, I shared, “I am in the process of preparing to take a road test. I want to be able to drive here, especially when my husband is away for a week or two.”

 “Teacher, just relax,” said one of my students. Then he continued in a happy tone, “I’ll take care of it. I’ll pay for your driving test fee. Just wait a few days, and you’ll have your license.” I thought I had not understood very well what my student had just said. Yet he confirmed, “I will bring you your driver’s license in a week.”

 “Well,” I hastened to explain, “I don’t operate my life in dishonest ways. However, I do appreciate your kind offer. Yet I cannot accept it.”

 I thanked him profusely before the discussion ended.

Shortly after that episode in the classroom, my family and I decided to immigrate to Canada. It was in my new country that I was able to take my driving test. God was gracious enough to allow me to pass the test so that I could drive in my new country.

 Sometimes we are faced with situations that seem to offer shortcuts out of, or through, our dilemmas. Yet God cannot bless choices that cut corners on honesty. The writer of Hebrews 13:18 affirmed that he had a good conscience because he desired to live his life honorably.

We can have that good conscience, too, when we live lives that honor God.

Ofelia A. Pangan