Whatever it is that I do, I am always found out. Not really something I think about often, but it is very true. Even surprises and secrets that are kept that are good, are always found out. Either by intention or not, everything is always found out.
This morning I am reading in Joshua of the deception from the Gibeonites. These people decided to act in the way of deception to gain protection from conquer. They pretended to be something they were not in order to gain favor.
“3But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai, 4they on their part acted with cunning and went and made ready provisions and took worn-out sacks for their donkeys, and wineskins, worn-out and torn and mended, 5with worn-out, patched sandals on their feet, and worn-out clothes. And all their provisions were dry and crumbly.” — Joshua 9:3-5 (ESV)
Notice the great lengths that were taken to hide their true identity. What a set of great pretenders. The reality was they lived among the others in the area although were not widely known to all. They spent a great deal of time to create this elaborate scheme to gain favor for something that was not their due, a covenant with Joshua.
Now their scheme was going pretty well even with all of the questions that came as they asked for their covenant until… Just when they were thought to be home free and had gotten away with the great deception, a group of their neighbors came to Joshua and exposed them for the frauds they were. The Gibeonites thought they had everything in the bag and were well on their way. These people were, I believe constantly looking over their shoulder with the thought they would be found out at some point, and they indeed were.
“16At the end of three days after they had made a covenant with them, they heard that they were their neighbors and that they lived among them. 17And the people of Israel set out and reached their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim.” — Joshua 9:16-17 (ESV)
Someone recognized them and they were found out. I know that I will ultimately be found out and therefor I have to be careful with what I choose to keep secret. Are their things to hide away for a time, yes. Some surprises are meant to elicit a jovial response when revealed, and that is just it, when revealed, not exposed.
My acts will always be found out, only when they are I have to be sure that those are the reveals and not the exposure. The difference as I see them are that I choose to tell as opposed to having those secrets thrust into the limelight for all to see. I am responsible for the acts that I commit and with those acts I should not be afraid to have them out in the light. Will I get it right all the time, NO. I do have the responsibility to take responsibility for those secrets and do all I can to ensure that the right amount of transparency is given for all of them. My acts will always be found out.
What acts are you taking on that you are looking to “get away with”? Are those acts/secrets those that you are hoping never come about? What if you were to work to only hold those that are supposed to be revealed instead of those that will likely be exposed, for all acts will be found out?
Trevor's Thoughts 