Let’s Read the Instruction 1st

How many times have you read your favorite book or watched your favorite movie? We can’t wait for specific scenes or lines and undoubtedly learn something new each time we dive in. We want to know more about the characters and the world they live in.

This is what’s happening in our reading today, Genesis 1:1 – 2:2. God is setting the stage for all readers throughout time to learn and know that He IS the Creator, the King and overseer of, well, EVERYTHING. He’s setting the stage using His creative commands, His blessing, and His pleasing approval.

Our favorite books and movies also lend us take-aways of instructions, guidelines, and parameters for understanding choices, relationships, brokenness, and love. The title of one of my favorite Christian books is, “When All Else Fails, Read the Instructions”. Meaning, we often try what looks right, do what’s quickest, what’s easiest, or what’s the least intentional so we can go on our way. When our attempts are subpar, (i.e. late night on Christmas Eve when there’s pieces left to the toy we’re trying to put together for Christmas morning), we impatiently ask, “Where’s the instructions?!”. We then realize how much time and effort was wasted by not reading the instructions 1st.

Do we do the same with the Bible? It’s our instructions, our go-to guidelines, our “Lifeline to God for Dummies” handbook; right here in front of us! Do we read His instructions first or act in quickness and ease, without thoughtfulness or intention?

In Genesis 1, God sets the stage through His power, His thoughtfulness, His intentionality, and most of all, His love. As we look to tomorrow morning’s sunrise, I love knowing that the instructions and the story have not changed. The stone is rolled away. Jesus is risen. God is ever present -in every part of every story..... because He created it all.

His book of instructions are of hope, love and the how-to’s for a deep relationship with Him. My Easter Sunday prayer is that we all learn to read His instructions 1st.

Author: Claire Moore, Community Service