The man in front of me proceeded to place his order, move down the bread case filled with delectable pastries, check out, and pay for his order. This is where the sweet story takes a turn for the worse.
As the man paid for his order, I noticed that a bill dropped from his wallet. Not a $50 bill, but a $100 bill. I went to say something but instead paused. I believe I was about sixteen years old and barely driving. I want to say I was young, but I was old enough to know better; even though I had not yet surrendered my life to Christ. The right thing to do would have been to speak up and tell him or pick it up and give it to him. The moment slipped away, and the man walked out of the store.
As I made my way further down the glass showcase toward the old-school cash register, I found myself standing over a $100 bill. Lacking integrity, I reached down and picked up the money and swiftly added it to my wallet. There was nothing sweet about this little girl during that moment.
Within seconds, the man who dropped the money re-entered the store. He frantically asked the bakery owner if he mistakenly gave him a $100 bill when he paid. The owner went on to explain that he did not get a $100 bill for payment but instead a $20.
I stood there amongst the two men speechless. This happened over 35 years ago, and I am still scarred from my actions. The man looked around on the floor, retraced his steps, and then looked at me. I had a choice to make.
I could tell the truth or tell a lie. As much as I did not want to admit my actions, I made the choice to stand up and tell the truth. It was hard, but it was the right thing to do. I reached into my wallet, grabbed the $100 bill I had just picked up off the floor and handed it to the man. I explained he dropped it on the floor as I handed it over to the rightful owner. That hurt. I was embarrassed and ashamed. I paid for my bread and donut and went out to my car, sitting in guilt and shame for quite some time.
I have never forgotten that moment or that feeling. I was wrong. That was not my money. I did not find that; I essentially stole it. The rightful thing to do would have been to make the man aware of the situation immediately and help him get his money back.
As I think of my life before Christ, I have several marking moments like that costly $100 bill scenario. These moments did not reflect Godly character. Instead, they exposed my sinful nature.
Romans 3:23 says, “. . . for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (ESV).
There is no way around it. Without Christ, my 16-year-old self was finding ways to justify my selfish actions and behavior. I was not following Christ’s standards, because I was willfully choosing to live a life without Christ. I had standards all my own, and they were not His standards.
Have you tried to justify un-Godly behavior? Perhaps it was years ago, or maybe even days or hours ago? Is there sin you are trying to minimize and justify? God is calling us to higher standards above our own.
Isaiah 55:6-9 says, “Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that He may have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than Your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts” (ESV).
Do you need to stand up and admit you were wrong? By the strength and power of Christ in us, we can live a life that honors the Lord! What non-negotiables can you put in place that will help you live a God-honoring life?
