According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.– Exodus 25:9
Recently we have had pages of blueprints and diagrams, with specifications and measurements carefully detailed, spread out on the dining room table at our house. They are plans for our daughter and son-in-law’s new house. Those plans were designed and laid out meticulously—and the end results are guaranteed if the directions are followed exactly.
All homes begin with plans that detail every square inch of the construction. They are drawn up by an architect who knows how to put on paper a home that will meet structural requirements. A good house plan also incorporates general needs that any person would have, such as a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen. It also meets the interests of the particular family for whom it is designed—perhaps including a playroom, study, or extra storage. Once built, a good home will stand strong for many years to come.
Just as a builder would never begin a new house without first consulting the plan, we need to follow a plan when we construct our spiritual buildings. The blueprints for our spiritual homes have been carefully drawn up by the Master Planner, God Himself. He designed it to meet needs common to all—salvation, sanctification, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost—and He also keeps in mind our personal interests, capabilities, and potential. His is the only plan that is structurally sound and can be trusted to withstand any storm life brings.
God’s plan is perfect, so we must be careful not to stray from His instructions. Imagine what would happen if someone came to a builder in the middle of construction and gave him some suggestions. “Do you really think you need a foundation? Don’t you think this roof peak would be better if it were moved there?” Would the builder act on these suggestions? No, he would go back to the plan and check to see how the recommendations line up with his instructions. If they do not, he ignores them! And when people come to us with suggestions of how our spiritual standards or beliefs should be altered, it is a good idea to check back with the plan God has given us. Do the suggestions fit with our instructions, or are they tampering with what God has outlined for us?
At the end of construction, houses are thoroughly checked over and must pass inspection before they are accepted. When we come to the “Great Inspection” of our spiritual houses, will we pass? Have we followed the plan exactly? If so, God’s stamp of approval will mark our success: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant”!