Wayfair, the renowned online furniture retailer, has a unique catch when it comes to ordering furniture. You’re either responsible for assembling the pieces yourself or hiring someone to do it for you. But what’s the point of that? Wayfair excels at packaging, maximizing every inch of space in their slim boxes, which makes the big price of the furniture seem more reasonable. For instance, I once bought a chaise lounge from Wayfair, and they cleverly concealed the parts in hidden compartments, zipped them tightly, and even included a small instruction manual. However, if you’re like me, you’re not the type to read the instructions first. In my mind, I already know how to put the pieces together. 

Now, I must admit that I’ve had a few tables from Wayfair that have rocked a bit. So, if you’re not a DIY enthusiast or don’t have the patience to follow the instructions, Wayfair might not be the best choice for you. Just like me, many people in the world believe they know how things are supposed to be assembled without reading the instructions. However, the problem is that Wayfair isn’t life. While I might have experimented with believing I knew how to assemble Wayfair products, I learned the hard way through real-life experiences. Yesterday, a friend told me, “Let me pay the way for you with my failure.” My brother and friend Ken were completely unaware of the impact that statement had on me. How many of us have learned valuable life lessons because we didn’t follow instructions? Life is an excellent teacher, but we have the life manual right in front of us. As Paul wrote,

Romans 12:2 (NLT) Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Paul, one of the greatest authors of the New Testament, wasn’t always that way. Saul, as he was originally named, followed the instructions of Lord Jesus during their encounter on the way to Damascus. In Acts 9:6 (NIV), Lord Jesus instructed Paul, “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” If Paul hadn’t followed Lord Jesus’s instructions, we wouldn’t have the 13 books of the New Testament today. Despite his treacherous past, Paul listened to Lord Jesus and became the leading author of the New Testament. The word of God is the greatest life instructional manual you could ever have or read. It teaches you how to handle conflicts, finances, relationships, raising children, and more. Whatever you’re facing, the answer is right there. All you have to do is read.

Before I conclude, I want to reiterate what my friend Ken mentioned. It’s incredibly impactful. Lord Jesus didn’t merely die for our sins; He went to prepare a place for us. He paid the debt and secured our place in heaven. Now, that’s giving you double for your trouble. Life could be much less fragmented if we simply read the greatest instructional manual ever written. The Wayfair instruction stated, “Please read before assembling.” The Lord, our God, has been trying to convey the same message. JUST READ THE INSTRUCTIONS!!

Next Step:

How can you renew your mind to better discern God’s will for your life, considering the ways of the world and your own self-conforming tendencies?

God bless you, God keep you. God loves you and I love you to