Parallels: Home and Spiritual Renovation—Inspections
(This is part of a series on what I learned through the process of renovating our home, and the parallels to a life yielded to and experiencing God’s work in renovating our life and spirit)
Before we began the renovations on our house, I filed building permits with our city and state. With these permits it was understood that I would submit to and comply with the various inspections required throughout the building process. Among these were “rough-in” building, plumbing, HVAC, and electrical inspections that required approvals before I could install drywall to the framed walls. This was necessary so that the infrastructure work could be seen and approved or corrected before being hidden by the drywall. The inspectors would typically instruct me of additional work that needed to be done to satisfy the building code requirements, and then give me approval to move on the next phase of construction.
Building codes were created to help homeowners and renters to be safe from shoddy and dangerous work. These codes came about because of lessons learned from past experiences with unsafe building practices that caused harm to people and buildings. I trust the people who wrote and enforce these codes, as they are trained experts in the various construction trades. I know their objective is to work with me to see a completed structure that will endure and not fail.
During the renovation work, someone from our neighborhood stopped by to ask about our work. During the course of our conversation, they told me they did their own renovations without any permits or inspections, saying they saved money and didn’t need anyone to look at the work they had done. I later found out they had major plumbing issues with their renovations. The reality in most states is this: unpermitted work can void homeowners’ insurance in the event of fires, floods, and more. When selling a house, many states also require a sellers’ disclosure in which the owner must describe any improvements that were made to the house, including if that work were permitted, inspected, and approved. I wanted to make sure that our house—which some day will be someone else’s home— was built well. I also want to assure my own integrity when I fill out the sellers disclosure on the day when we sell this house.
In the same way, I view my own existence and body as belonging to someone else: God. I trust the Maker of my body, and His unfailing love for me. Because of this I regularly ask Him to inspect my heart, thoughts, desires, words, and actions. Inspections by God keep me spiritually grounded and on a life path in which I am in a close, intimate relationship with Him. Trying to hide from God is not only futile— since He already knows me through and through—but can be spiritually and even physically perilous. By allowing God to search and correct me, He keeps on a good path and away from anything that would erode the integrity of my life and relationship with Him and other people. I have experienced God’s patient and gentle corrections, which I know will continue until the day I meet Him face to face.
I regularly and often voice to God the beautiful “searching” prayer composed by the writer of Psalm 139:
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” (Psalm 139:23-24)
Asking God to inspect us can feel scary, but I know from experience that when we allow Him, God will faithfully check, restore and gently transform us to become the person He created us to be. His objective is to work on us, with us, and for us so we will endure and not fail— in this life and through eternity.
Years ago, I sat down at a piano and wrote a song based on this Psalm. It was and still is the prayer that brings me into God’s presence. I invite you to listen now to the song “Search My Heart” with the attached YouTube link. I pray that as you hear it, you will allow God to inspect, correct, heal, and restore your life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlvLe1WAKzE
God bless you!
Chris Atkins