Gold
Nugget
Verse 12:
“Apply your heart
to instruction, and your ears to words of knowledge.”
Commentary
I
remember when my son was little; he always would try to cut short instructions.
When he was 6 or 7 years old I was trying to teach him how to shoot a BB gun.
As soon as he got the gun in his hands he said, “I got it, Dad… I got it.” I
hadn’t shown him how to aim the sights yet and had safety rules to teach him.
Several times in the process he cut in, “I got it, Dad… I got it.” Although my
concerns about him refusing instructions in that situation as well as others,
it wasn’t all that different to the many times I did and do the same. If it’s
as simple as glancing at the instructions before assembling a desk or
something, often times I would have to disassemble some piece because of
neglecting the instructions. After managing people for many years, there have
been many times when someone cut short my instructions because of an “I got
this” attitude. Knowing that there were important additional instructions, I
knew their approach left room for error. I can’t help but wonder how often God
is left standing there, so to speak, while we say “I got it, Dad… I got it.”
Although we may not say it in words, we say it in deed. He has an entire Book
of Instructions that is as neglected as the instruction manual that sits in the
box while we stumble through the assembling of our lives. Having an open door
to learning and following instructions may not be in our personal tool box.
More of us cut short His instructions and take on an “I got it” attitude. Today’s
“gold nugget” challenges us to “Apply your heart to
instruction, and your ears to words of knowledge.” I have found that as I
have gotten older I read the instructions more and more. I have assembled too
many things incorrectly too many times. Humility earned or learned is still humility.
Enough errors in my life have helped to humble me enough to rely on the
instructions. Enough experiences have shown me that there is great security in
sticking close to the instructions. Have you been reading His instruction
manual or have you been trying to wing it? If so, how is that working for you?
Prayer
Lord, I
know that your instruction manual is the Word of God we call the bible. I know
that I try to build my life sometimes on my own, but am learning how to trust
your instructions more and more. Help me to surrender to your direction in all
areas of my life. Amen
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