Hidden sins

In the past few days, I have encountered two people who are trying to get building permits. That's not at all unusual, given that I am in business, I am a contractor, and that I do work which often could - or should - require various types of permits. But these two people are somewhat unique in that they are trying to get permits after the work is completed. Yes, both of them got caught doing work without first getting permits, and of course, without getting the inspections along the way.

One of them built a beautiful backyard, complete with a gazebo, a patio cover, a gas barbecue, nice lighting, and a self-contained hot tub. Completed it all a few years ago.

The other is the tenant in a commercial building we own, and is trying to get her business moved in and operating in her new location. With some new lighting, plumbing, and a couple of new office spaces.

Both of them are now in trouble with the city. They share one very important similarity: they both got caught. Both of them are now trying to do the least amount of work possible to prove that they met the codes and requirements for all the work that they did - but the inspector is not willing to just take their word for any of it, because he can't SEE any of the important parts now. And how can he be expected to believe what these people tell him when they obviously tried to put one over on him already?

So - they will have to cut open some concrete slabs, rip open some walls and some ceilings, and do some other expensive work. The one family has had to remove the Hot Tub completely. Don't worry, they say, once they get the permit signed off they will put it back. Wow. How honest is honest these days? I sure hope that they never have a fire. I'm pretty sure that being warned - in writing, as a matter of public record - that you have a fire hazard in your yard is plenty of excuse for their insurance company to NOT cover their losses if the place did happen to burn down. Or if the gazebo caused the fire to jump to a neighbor's house and burned it to the ground...For me, it would have been bad enough to get caught once, can you imagine if they get 'caught' by some tragedy?

So - we'll see how things proceed. But at this point, I am thinking about the things in my life which I have tried to hide. An impure thought life is one of those things which plagues all people in some fashion. All people. The genders are very different, of course: men tend to struggle in the realm of lust, while women struggle in other realms. Fear, gossip, anger, harsh words, and other hidden sins can an do work their way into all of our thoughts. Wow - did I just manage to insult everyone on the planet?

No - I came to a conclusion about myself, and the people I care about. And I am not going to try to cover it up any more, because God's way of exposing things after the fact is much more painful than opening up a bit of drywall or cutting a hole in a concrete slab. And much more personal.

Numbers 23:23 is often quoted in this regard:
"Be sure, your sin will find you out."

It is written about not wholly serving the Lord God, and not doing what you promise. But don't worry, there are lots of places in the Bible where we can see examples of a person's sin coming to light, and to use the common vernacular of today: biting them in the butt.

I guess it makes it all the more important for us to guard our every thought, and to give thought to every thing we allow into our lives. Secret? Don't count on it staying that way.