Wednesday, May 30, 2012

DON'T LOOK AT ME!

Inspection.

A process not to be confused with "just-give-it-a-quick-once-over."

The dictionary defines inspection as: To examine carefully and critically, especially for flaws

So, in any buying/selling a house transaction, there comes a time for the *Inspection*.  A time when some professional is paid to go and check out (microscopically) the house.

I much prefer being the buyer in this situation.

In this case, the inspector kinda "works for you" - he has your best interests at heart.  He investigates every nook and cranny to make sure that everything works and is *up to code*.

This is a good thing if you're the buyer.

Because, more often than not, you have all the bargaining power.  If you're not satisfied with the inspection, you can back out of the deal.

We were generally pleased with the inspection report on our new house in the mountains.  A few repairs - (which the sellers took care of) - but no *deal-breakers*.

However, when we accepted an offer on our house, WE became the sellers.

And we became the subject of the dreaded inspection.

Let me tell you - it was tough.


I found out that I. DO. NOT. LIKE. being inspected.

Actually, I have found the whole process of selling a house to be invasive and unsettling.

Initially, I felt unnerved having photos of my home on the internet.  It is not a good feeling to google your address and see pictures of YOUR OWN home up the for the whole web world to see.

"Oh look, there's my bed, where I sleep."

"Yup, that's where I take a shower, all right."


"Uh huh, there's all the cool stuff I've decorated with."


I felt wildly uncomfortable having people (total strangers) come into my house.

I actually did fret about people breaking something.  I really worried about them stealing stuff - (I'm Polly Paranoia, remember?!)

So, that part was not easy.

We had so many showings in that first 24 hours that "The Hub" and I just sat in the backyard rather than go away.  Do you have any idea how weird it is to know that people are snooping around and whispering about your home?

And then the day arrived for the home inspection.

I was nervous about it - (I think I watch too many home improvement shows). We had to leave this time - while Inspector Gadget and the buyers investigated every nook and cranny in OUR house.

Luckily, our repair list was very small - very *do-able*.

But the process of being looked at, and evaluated felt bad.  I felt exposed and vulnerable.  I felt judged.

I felt like everyone was watching me take a shower or something.

It got me thinking about the Lord.

About why so many people avoid Him.

I think it's because we humans do not like being inspected.  We get uncomfortable under the microscope.  We singularly tend to avoid having our motives or words or actions evaluated.

We don't like to be judged.

Many non-believers see God as the "Evil Judge in the Sky."  He bandies about a long list of "DON'TS" - which He arbitrarily imposes on us - and then He deems us not *up to code*.

They stay away from Him because He feels invasive.

But sadly (and honestly) I think many of us God-fearing believers kinda shy away from Him sometimes too.  We don't like being looked at - we feel vulnerable and exposed.

We also sometimes fear His judgment.

I know I intellectually accept the overarching Truth that I fall short of the glory of God.  I know I need salvation.

However, it's the little *fall shorts* that I'd rather not have God see. Sometimes I don't want to disappoint Him.  Other times, I just want to do my own thing and not have Him interfere.

Skewed view?


You bet!

Because the truth that I am learning is that I need God's inspection - for I am often an expert at self-deceit.

"The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?" (Jeremiah 17:9)

So, Lord - I need Your inspection to stay spiritually sound.  I need Your help to stay *up to code*.  Please point out the faulty stuff. And please make any necessary repairs.

I want to be a home that YOU are comfortable living in!



"Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!" (Psalm 139:23, ESV)


Do you feel comforted or unnerved by the knowledge that nothing escapes the all-seeing eyes of God?


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

6 comments:

  1. Reading about your inspection makes me think of episodes of Sell this House. And as always you applied it perfectly to our spiritual lives. Knowing that God sees all is both comforting and unnerving for me.

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  2. Hi Sharon,

    Firstly your house inspection, I can oh so relate to that one.

    Secondly in answer to your question, I was about to say exactly what Wanda has said. Yes comforting and unnerving for me.

    Brilliant Post as usual

    God Bless - Nita.

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  3. Knowing you Sharon - you house and soul will pass inspection. sandie

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  4. I came for Fan the Flame and saw that I had missed this. I'm having a busy week here.

    I love the analogy and I do think that most folks can be easily encouraged by Satan to shy away from inspection. IMO, that's one of the main reasons that we have huge masses of professed Christians who like the worship and the fellowship but don't know a lick about the Word. It's easier that way.

    I'm sure you passed muster with flying colors. That's because you are honest, and even when a flaw is pointed out you respond the way God would have you respond.

    Hope they didn't nick your wooden Indian.

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  5. I write the same thing over and over again....Great analogy...honest and true. So glad that when Gos inspects us, it is through His eyes of love.

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"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

(NOTE: Anonymous comments will be removed. Thank you for understanding.)