I could not really remember when was the exact date. But all I know this is one experienced I will never going to forget that easily.
Growing up in a Christian family, it is not a rare thing for me to hear the phrase 'Lying is a sin.' Since my Sunday school days I've been taught not to tell a lie.And though the phrase may sounds simple as it is familiar, but the act of honesty is not one easy thing to do.
I was in a crazy taxi one Saturday evening.
When I say crazy...it is really crazy! So what happened was, I boarded the taxi, after a few moment's of waiting in the taxi line outside a shopping mall, and the moment I boarded the taxi and told the driver of my destination, he replied by telling me that he only knows the way to the zoo.
OMG moment no. 1
It was almost dinner time and my family had been calling me non-stop to get back home asap (as soon as possible). And when I heard him said his only known destination, I was starled for a moment, before I asked "so, do you know how to get to my destination?" Frankly speaking, I was a little annoyed.
The cabbie driver laughed on his own cheesy joke and assured me that he knows the way to my requested destination "very well. Don't worry miss."
Okay.
So I sat in the back seat, playing my handphone as most youth probably would have done these days, when my taxi suddenly jerked so hard, I almost fall forward and hit my face onto the front seat. "What the..." I was about to shout when my driver's voice boomed angrily, as he cursed the big car that cut his lane. "WHAT THE *^#%*" He shouted and turning to face me, he said "did you see that idiot? He just appeared in front of me and cut my lane! That is so dangerous!" he said irritated.
Then just as I thought he will just let the matter rest and drove off, while probably continue to mutter a few more curses under his breath; HE! my crazy taxi driver actually sped ahead in full speed to chase over the idiot's car and curved ahead of a few cars to stand side by side with the Idiot's.
He winded open his window and with a voice as loud as an angry animal shouted over to the Idiot and a quarrelled took place between two drivers.
OMG No.2 (I was like...seriously speechless and helpless inside the car. All I hope was this matter rest asap)
Unfortunately, the quarrell did not end there.
Idiot, offended by what my taxi driver said actually tailed us all the way as he tried to send me home.
The two cars sped and turned wildly in the high way trying to run away from each other/ catch up on each other and Idiot with her (and yes! its a her!) big car continued to flash her lights on my taxi. Blinding us from the glare.
My taxi jerked and skidded violently on the road causing the other cars to horn and sound their horns wildly. And I inside the taxi, hanging on for dear life, while at the same time praying that it will soon be over. Some part of me wish I never boarded the cab!
On one stop, when the traffic light was red and Idiot was somewhere two cars behind us, the taxi driver actually took out a book which he told me to leave my name and contact no. "I need you to be my witness." He said "In case this goes to the police." (OMG NO. 3)
I looked at the situation in a fast forward pace. Honestly I dont want to be any witness. I'm pissed and irritated that I am inside a crazy cab and I am pissed and annoyed that an Idiot is chasing after me and I...dont even feel like I wanna be any witness for two hot-tempered-unreasonable-filthy-mouths psychos.
But I took the book anyway, and I decided to lie.
I shortened my name, and I gave a false contact no. Inside I was thinking that it will be a damn-serve-you-right moment if the case actually go to the sheriff and he (the taxi driver) could not contact me.
However, God is holy.
And so is the Holy Spirit.
He (my Holy Spirit), actually warned me to be honest.
But I retaliated.
I lied anyway and returned him the book, I wish he will never have to use.
The traffic light turned to green and the chased continues. I was driven around to an unknown location as the taxi tried to get away from the Idiot, who continued to prey on us like a mad dog.
I tried to remain calm and in my stillness, I could sense my Holy Spirit warning me again and again with my Sunday school phrase "Lying is a sin. Lying is a sin. Lying Yuliana, is a sin."
For a moment I thought I was becoming schizophernic as the voices continues to speak in my heart. "Be Honest!" "You are a Christian, be honest. Lying is a sin."
I shook my head to get rid of the voices. "I'm lying for a good reason." I defended as I said these words to myself. But the Holy Spirit within me replied me saying " A sin is a sin. Lying is a sin. There is no such thing as good lie and bad lie. All lies are sins."
OMG.
Real OMG! O...G in fact...Oh... God. I thought to myself almost like a plead.
The taxi continued to stir me in my seat shifting me back and front, side to side as crazy driver sped and skidded away from Idiot. Behind, Idiot, with her flash lights glaring at our vehicle, kept coming closer and further and closer, and I inside the taxi, battling with my Christian mind and the Holy Spirit.
"Be honest!" was His last words.
I swear to you, I was not running, and I was no longer afraid, or annoyed, but I was panting as I battled with God's warning to be holy (within me). Then as my taxi, went into a hiding place, and Idiot, finding us nowhere to be found, made her search elsewhere, I finally had a decision.
After about 5 minutes, my taxi went out its hiding place and my driver, probably calming himself too, began to drive safely (Halleluya!) towards my home address.
As I paid my bill, which he had deducted from the unnessecary extra miles, Taxi man apologized to me "for the inconvenience" and he "hope I dont have to call you for any sue-ing case." I looked at the book as he read my contact no. The fake no. And as I tried to make sense of all the craziness that had taken place, I began to understand why it took so long to arrive home.
God is giving me a chance to be honest.
I kept my change and before I left the cabbie, I said "Hey, sorry, can I write something on your book?"
Taxi man handed me the book and the pen.
I looked at the false number I had written earlier on, and striked it out and corrected the mistakes. "I'm willing to help." I said as I handed him back the book.
I got down from the taxi.
My knees are woobling like jellies. I didnt know the ride actually took the living warmth out of me.
But I was glad I do not have to lie.
As I walked slowly, very slowly towards my apartment's lift, I could hear a gentle voice within me said "That's honesty."
~
Epilogue
Before this, I never know that to be honest, it requires courage.
But indeed, true honesty requires Faith and Courage.
Colossians Chapter 3: 9 says, as one of the rules of holy living, "Do not lie.."
As Christians, sometimes, situations may force us to lie. But as the bible instructed us to do, we are to live a holy life just as God is holy (1 Peter 1:16) and do not conform to the patterns of the world (Romans 12:2). We are called to obey the commands of God, and though at times it may not be easy for us to be different or holy, but let us strive to make every effort to be holy (Hebrew 12:14).
Even a little lie, as simple as faking a contact number, matters to God what more when the lie is beyond that?
Pray that in all circumstances, we learn to have faith readers. Pray also that we can continue to put our trusts in the Lord for He is good.
Remember that when God is there to caution our sinfulness, He is not doing that to make you feel bad, but instead, He is there to encourage you, to guide you to be brave and to help you out of your temptations.
May all glory, honour and praise be to God and for God forever and ever.
Amen
Love and Peace,
Yuliana
No comments:
Post a Comment