Some Assembly Requiredનમૂનો

Several years ago, my husband Chresten and I decided to sell an antique dining table that we had been using in our breakfast nook and purchase a new one, one that better suited the small size of the room. So, we went to the furniture store and found something we both liked that had two benches—one for each side. The price was reasonable, and they actually had one in stock. So, we made the purchase and went home with the idea that Chresten would go back later in the day with his truck to pick up the pieces of furniture. To our dismay, when they began to load the furniture into his truck bed, it was actually in flat boxes; not fully assembled as we had seen it in the store.

Have you ever considered buying an item, only to see the dreaded words “Some Assembly Required” either stamped boldly on the box or in the fine print on the promo listing? By the time you complete the project, you aren’t sure it’s going to stand properly, make it past one “plopping” of your child on it, or if your relationship is gonna survive the process. “Some Assembly Required” might as well be interpreted “Disaster Looming Ahead”.

Gratefully, in that particular instance, the assembly was marginally simple. Chresten followed (most of) the instructions, and the product ended up looking very much like what we had seen on the showroom floor. But, like many of you, we have also tackled projects that did not end quite as beautifully. We were a little more frazzled by the wear and tear of the experience at its conclusion.

Life has plenty of experiences like this one, except with much graver or greater consequences. As a child we are primarily dependent on the myriad of grownups in our lives to do the heavy lifting--direct the assembly, so to speak--and we aren’t as responsible for the outcome of the project at hand. But as adolescence comes to a close and the weightiness of adulthood comes breathing down your neck, a steady stream of life projects keeps the conveyer belt of decisions rolling fairly consistently. Some of the projects are relatively easy and you don’t have to work that hard. But others are a little more tedious and require more thoughtfulness, intentionality, and a whole lot more grace to weather and win.

Building your life, building a family of your own, should be approached with far more intentionality than my husband and I took with our Some Assembly Required table and benches. But beyond all doubt, there is Some Assembly Required when it comes to creating and cultivating a marriage and family that please God. You and I must have a biblical visual in mind toward which we are building. Throughout this plan, we will take a closer look at the legendary Noah and the ark he built, "for the salvation of his family".

Dig a Little Deeper

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you His master builders' design for your life personally and for the family you lead. Make a fresh commitment to consult with Him over the changes that you must implement in order to please Him in every area of your life. What is the "image" on the front of your family's Some Assembly Required box?