Life Without Lumps

A carpet layer had worked an hour past the time he was supposed to be home. As he was picking up his tools he noticed a lump beneath the carpet. He felt his shirt pocket for his cigarettes, and sure enough, they were gone. Unwilling to spend any more time on that job, he took his hammer and tapped down the lump until it was smooth. He gathered up his tools and headed for the truck. Opening the cab door, two things happened simultaneously. He noticed his cigarettes on the front seat and heard the woman of the house call out, “Have you seen my parakeet?”

Ah, the cover-up. Such a quick fix for mistakes. Guaranteed to save time and curtail embarrassment. The difficulty with papering over mistakes, however, is that eventually the lumps come back to haunt you. How true this is when we’re talking about sin. Consider Proverbs 28:13. “No one who conceals transgressions will prosper, but one who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” The Psalmist said it best: “While I kept silence, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me… Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord’ and you forgave the guilt of my sin.” (Psalm 32:3-5)

Sin swept under the carpet always costs, often with interest. Sin confessed can bring pain, to be sure. But without confession, release and healing will never come. Build your life on truthfulness, not deception. Admit your sins quickly. Deal with them today. Confess them, renounce them, and you will find mercy abundant for your need.

Love in Christ,

Andy