It was a not-so-subtle reminder of how much I hated those words. It triggered an unpleasant memory. We purchased a “Cadillac” treadmill for my wife and when I picked it up at the store, there on the box were those words. Assembly required. My mind raced back to that day in my garage when dozens of scattered tools and assorted parts littered the floor. In the middle of that mess was a large, folded paper that was clearly labeled “instructions.”
Now you need to know that I always start with the best intentions. Follow the instructions and assembly should pose no problem. That usually works for me until about step four, when the inflated ego kicks in and the instructions get pushed aside.
This computer desk that should have been assembled in an hour or less had now been spread across the garage floor for over three hours. What happened? When I neglected the instructions and went with my manly intuition, I assembled some parts out of sequence. To install the final part, I had to disassemble half the unit. If I had only faithfully read and followed the directions, I could have spared myself the anger, frustration and sense of failure that invaded my life that day.
There are far too many well-intentioned Christians who fall victim to something I call “Biblicus Neglectus.” We often push God’s instruction guide aside while doing the absolute best we can to live that Christian life. The reasons for this vary, but the results are often the same. When strife, strain, and struggles roar into our lives and we feel like we have no control, we sometimes retreat into cynicism, frustration, despair, and even depression. Occasional chaos is an unpleasant fact. Everyone will at some point face mistreatment, misunderstanding, grief, and disappointment. What matters is whether we weather through those things as victims or victors. Victors know and trust the God-given direction we find in the Bible. Paul wrote to Timothy to remind him that “All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness.” That word, reproof, biblically is not a harsh judgment, but a tender guidance towards the truth.
Assembling a life that pleases God is a life-long pursuit, but it does not have to be chaotic or frustrating. The psalmist reminds us that God has given us indestructible guidelines and irrefutable boundaries so we can know Him and how He wants us to live. Psalm 119:11 says, “Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:105-106 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have sworn and I will confirm it, that I will keep Your righteous ordinances.” Remember! Just read the directions every day, yield yourself to God, walk by faith and let Him do His will through you.
