No Step-By-Step Instructions Needed
Not too long ago we purchased an outdoor gas fire pit that needed to be assembled. It came with step-by-step instructions, and while those instructions were straight forward and clear, there have been other instances when the instructions were not helpful or so confusing that by the time I was done putting whatever it was together, I was completely frustrated and feeling not too good about my competence in following instructions and putting things together. Have you ever been there? When we buy something, we want it to come with both easy to follow assembly instructions and a detailed user’s manual.
We tend to live life by that same method. We want rules, formulas, systems, and step-by-step instructions. We want a plan, a manual, something that tells us what to expect. We want two plus two to always equal four. However, we sometimes fail to follow the instructions that will give us our desired outcome. Think of the mess you would have if you ignored the directions when baking a cake. Builders use blueprints when building a house for a reason. A few years ago, I had prostate cancer surgery. Imagine what might have happened if the surgeons had not used the proper surgical protocols, techniques, or instruments, and just “winged it” once they had me cut open..
Religion is often nothing more checking off boxes, following a prescribed plan. It is works-based, often creating do’s and don’ts not even found in scripture. While religion is about rules, following God is about a relationship. It is about a Person and not a plan; it is grace-based. Following God is about allowing the Holy Spirit to lead, guide, and direct your steps, no matter how unpredictable or out of compliance with your well laid out step-by-step instructions it might seem. It may help to have plans, but when following God you cannot hold onto those plans too tightly. Here is what we read in Proverbs 16:9 – “A person’s heart plans his way, but the LORD determines his steps.”
The fifth chapter of Paul’s letter to the Galatians ends by contrasting works of the flesh with fruit of the Spirit. The second to last verse reads this way – “Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives” (v.25). To experience true Kingdom living, you cannot turn your faith into a formula. You need to be responsive to where the Spirit might be leading you. When Jesus called his first disciples, He did not give them a list of rules or step-by-step instructions of what to do beforehand, He simply said “Come, follow me.” (Matthew 4:19).
So today, will you commit, or re-commit, to allowing the Spirit to guide your path (Psalm 32:8)? Doing so will take you places that rules, formulas, systems, or step-by-step instructions never will!
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