Some Assembly Required

Genesis 2:7 “the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground.”

When my kids were growing up, I had that distinct fatherly pleasure of putting together various things like doll houses and bicycles and other wonderful presents. At times, it meant giving up a considerable amount of sleep because the work had to be done after they went to sleep. Like most fathers, I grew to hate that small note on the label that read, “Some assembly required” and it should the simple hand tools that were necessary, like a screwdriver, pliers, and adjustable wrench. It failed to mention that an advanced degree in construction engineering was a definite plus. Of course, after the time of assembling toys passed, it then became fun activities such as furniture. My wife would pick out a really nice piece at the store and when it was delivered to the house, there were several boxes and that same wonderful phrase.

We all know that we have been formed, male and female, in the likeness of God. He took great care to select his design, body and soul, for his best creation. The Bible just says that he formed us from the dust of the ground without additional details. I wonder if he took the dust, added some water and then formed it like modeling clay into a variety of shapes until he got it just right. In any case, we are the results of that miracle of granting life. Of course, we also know that since we started out as dust, it is to dust that we shall return.

God starts us out as babies fresh from the womb, with only the life that he gave us, including our immortal soul. It is up to our parents to teach us and guide us from that point to our adulthood. They are assembling us in our knowledge and abilities. Once we do reach that point in our lives where we move out on our own, it then becomes our responsibility to continue the job. The first paragraph talks of assembly jobs that are eventually completed, but the assembly of our self is an ongoing process. We are always adding or deleting as we fine tune us physically, mentally and spiritually.

It is that last point that ultimately becomes the most important. We can grow up in almost any environment and develop physically and mentally. There are or can be huge differences in the quality, but those developments will happen in spite of what we do. It is the spiritual aspect of our assembly that requires special care and attention. In order to know God, to know Jesus Christ, to know the Holy Spirit, we have to have guidance. That may come from parents, friends, a chance meeting with a stranger. Regardless of how it happens, God will give us the opportunity to know him and to serve him. He will make sure of it and he will do it as often as necessary to get out attention. God created us and he did it in such a way to give us the opportunity to be with him for eternity. He wants us to be with him in heaven. It pains God beyond imagination every time one of his creations turns his back on him and chooses to spend that eternity with the devil in hell.

How are you doing with your assembly? What tools are you using to put yourself together in the best way? How often do you pick up the bible and actually read it? Do you have a spiritual leader, a priest, a minister, or someone who can guide you in your task? Are you doing the task in a haphazard way or are you following the directions to the letter? Are you preparing yourself for that final inspection on your last day so you tell God, “Assembly completed and ready to join you”?