Is honesty that hard to practice? Why? When is it easy to be truthful? When is it hardest? In what area of life do you need to raise the level of honesty? (Serendipity Bible 10th Anniversary Edition, page 1065).
Why
did I not volunteer to the professor that I I did not read the
assignment for today? Probably for fear that my grade would be hurt,
and I don't want to be thought by him or the class as a flake or,
even worse, stupid and undisciplined.
Why
did I not tell my brother that I was concerned because his son's
beautiful new beach house was in my view besmirched with liquor?
Probably because I did not want to offend on the one hand, or look
like a fanatic on the other who could not see anything good.
Why
did I not tell my boss that I took an extra 20 minutes off for lunch?
Probably because I would have had to take vacation time – that is,
pay for my indiscretion.
Why
is it that I do not tell everyone I meet about my most sensational
sex activities ever? Probably because I think it would be
inappropriate and furthermore, they don't want to know (hearing of it
would make them feel uncomfortable). It would be inappropriate for I
would taking pride in something anyone of a certain mind set could
easily do--it is therefore a hollow accomplishment--like being
extremely proud that I put on my socks this morning.
Why
is it that I don't tell the speaker that he bored me to death?
Probably because I don't want to hurt or offend and secondly because
I feel there's always a possibility it was my fault and I was not
fully "there".
Why
didn't I tell my wife that I thought her new hairdo made her look
ugly. Probably because I do not want to hurt her or our
relationship--or be told the unvarnished truth about my own thinning
head of hair.
Why
don't I tell my Muslim son that I wish he were a Christian? Probably
because in my mind the choice of religion has to be the best fit for
the believer in question. I do not want to hurt or show lack of
appreciation for the complexities and unknowns and unknowable’s of
belief preferences.
Why
don't I tell someone who is complaining about their situation that I
think principally they are to blame? Probably because I doubt any
misfortune can be identified entirely as one's own fault. The warp
and woof of human experience simply doesn't allow for such simplistic
certitude.
Why
don't I like Christ rail at the pompous and self-righteous?
Probably because unlike Jesus I am not perfect and I'm guilty of much
the same. For me it would be the pot calling the kettle black.
Why
don't I tell the doctor that I did not follow his recommendation to
walk 30 minutes a day? Probably because I don't want to get him mad
at me and threatened to no longer serve me. I also don't want to
admit that I am lazy and undisciplined.
Why
don't I tell my Republican friends that I think all Republicans have
an inveterate mean streak? Probably because I do not want them to
think I am self-righteous. And probably because I do not want to hear
what they truly think about the down and dirty character flaws of
Democrats.
Why
don't I tell the hostess that the dish she served me was tasteless
mush? Probably because I know her intentions and efforts we honest
and true and I value her love much more than the food on my fork.
When someone gives their true best, I will seldom find it not good
enough.
Why
don't I face the fact that my dreams may never come true? Probably
because my dreams give me a sense of worth, purpose, hope, and
discipline; and, furthermore, I never want to adulterate my faith by
saying that God cannot perform miracles.
Why
is it that I color my hair so that does not look gray? Probably
because I do not want to face the fact that I am getting older by the
second. I don't want to look like an old man with washed out hair.
(However, as time passes I am grateful for ANY hair.)
Why
is it that I try not to look inpatient when standing in line at the
checkout counter? Probably because I want to hide the fact that I
think I am special and should always come first.
Why
don't I admit that I didn't like or appreciate this or that hot book
or movie? Because I don't want to look uncool or appear too shallow
to appreciate exceptional art or its profundity.
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