DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS
I was recently browsing the web for a product I was interested in, and I wanted to see how internet prices compared to the same or similar items I could purchase in store. Seeing an item that the wife and I were both happy with, I decided to be a responsible consumer and read the reviews. Reviews can oftentimes be a great help when questioning the quality of a product we have no way of seeing in person, but they can also be a place where one airs their grievances and frustrations. This particular item had only two reviews. One reviewer gave the product a high rating, 4 out of 5 stars, stating it was beautiful, well built, and they were very happy with the purchase. One star had to be deducted, however, because that purchaser wished the item had been just a little bigger. Another reviewer had to deduct two stars and said the product was nice, but they had to give a lower rating because the instructions were complicated. They went on to say the build had a lot of pieces and took a lot of time.
Growing up my dad did many things himself. His attitude was “Why pay someone to do something I can easily do myself for free?” I always appreciated that about him as he then taught me a lot of the things he knew. If he needed something built, he had the tools, the abilities, and the work ethic to do it, and have it exactly how he wanted. While working with my old man he would give me detailed instructions so that I could do the job right. I never thought “My dad talks too much,” or “Why does he spend so much time explaining these things to me?” or “I would much rather be doing something else.” I appreciated my dad and his abilities. I also appreciated his willingness to teach me. He was the one that friends in the neighborhood would go to for help fixing, building, or designing something in their home. He also had his own upholstery business and would often take me with him to give customers estimates, as well as pick up or drop off furniture. Before we were going to see those customers and often on our way back home, my dad would give me lessons on interacting with people, the importance of making the customer feel appreciated and heard, putting them at ease about any doubts they may have, and just treating the customer right while also knowing our own value and worth. I believe part of my ability to connect with people and interact with them stems from learning and applying what I saw my dad do. There is a lot I owe to my dad, and I am grateful for all that he taught and is still teaching me.
Now consider the type of parent God the Father is. The patience He reveals to us is truly in abundance. Though we are ungrateful for that patience at times, He still shows it to us. He is a Father full of love and compassion. John said in John 21:25—
25 Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.
While this verse is talking about all the actions our Lord performed while He walked the earth, the same can be said for the love and compassion God has and has shown to mankind. The world could not contain the books that would be written should man put pen to paper and attempt to record all that we could recall that reveals the love and compassion of God. But God is full of knowledge and wisdom as well.
James 1:5—
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
2 Timothy 3:16-17—
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
God is all knowing, He is full of the knowledge and wisdom we need. If we lack wisdom, that is if we lack divine truth, God will give it to us. But that does not mean that God will endow us with such knowledge supernaturally. As Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:15—
15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
We must be students of the word if we wish to acquire knowledge of it. Not only that, Paul also records in 2 Timothy that all Scripture is inspired by God. He has recorded and preserved the Scriptures so that we can be complete. God has left us detailed instructions on how to live this life, and where a life lived in submission to Him will lead. Not one book, one chapter, or even one verse, not a single word has been recorded to fill space on a page. God’s instructions are detailed so that we can see inside His mind, apply those instructions to our lives, and exist eternally with our Maker. No matter how much we believe or feel we are indebted to our parents or any man, we owe God so much more, we owe Him EVERYTHING as the detailed instructions He has left are to improve the condition and preservation of our souls.