I saw a news report on a Seattle TV station recently, about a town where over a week’s time, two dozen public road signs disappeared. Traffic signs like stop, yield right of way, one way, and speed limit signs just vanished. Pedestrian cross walk, caution, and warnings for road conditions for motorcyclists (like me) were nowhere to be seen. Local citizens interviewed by the news team said “that without the signs it was dangerous to drive, and besides, to replace the signs would cost thousands of taxpayer dollars.” Was this just a teenager’s prank, or is this a flagrant attempt to disregard the place of law in our society?
As I ponder this story, I ask — “are there other society signs or guard rails disappearing?” How about honesty? Where do we see honesty today?
Honesty is what the God of this universe is all about. God cannot lie. The apostle John who followed Jesus tells us: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father full of grace and truth — John 1:14.” Truth is all about honesty. It was the honest heart, thoughts, and actions of Jesus that were behind his earthly mission, in laying down his life for the world’s sins. How do we honor Christ in our lives? By showing others the same honesty Christ has shown us.
Honesty is more than words. Why? Because of dishonesty. At times, it’s not what people say that should alarm us. It’s what people don’t say when you are in a conversation. A person may say something with his or her mouth but all the person’s non-verbals tell you that he or she is thinking something else. Speaking dishonest words in order to avoid conflict is flattery (Psalm 12:2) but dishonesty poisons relationships.
How do we live out honesty? To be honest as Christ was and is today, is to realize we are made for relationships. In a day where words are cheap and hustling others is prevalent, it is giving not getting that shows how honest you are.
Honesty’s greatness is found in humility not in a hustler’s arrogance. In a day when the word “I” is so prevalent — I phones, I pads, I want this, I want that; Jesus shows us the true road to greatness with honesty. Instead of “I,” emphasize in listening and working together with others the word “we.” Honesty shows itself in taking responsibility for words and actions. Never before have we seen in history one like Jesus who would predict how he would die, and how three days later he would be resurrected from the garden tomb.
Visible guardrails and street signs are helpful. Yet when they go missing, we should still listen and be guided by the inward road sign that is our conscience.
Where do we see honesty today? Like Jesus, let us look within.

John Hunsberger of Seaview is a retired United Methodist pastor of 45 years and served Ocean Park United Methodist Church from 1978-89. Go to Liftupchrist.wordpress.com for a glimpse at his past writings.