February 9, 2012

The One with My "Type A" Rationale

Currently our daily chronological Bible reading has Kevin and I reading through Exodus. The crazy thing is, I have no idea how many times I have previously studied through these passages, but reading straight through them in order brings so many details to light. Almost daily, Kevin hears me exclaim my startling realization. 

Today's proclamation was, "Oh my gosh, it was AARON who had the Israelites build the golden calf?! SERIOUSLY? And then he was crazy enough to say: So I told them, ‘Whoever has any gold jewelry, take it off.’ Then they gave me the gold, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf! Really, Aaron?" 

But that is neither here nor there. This post is about the justification for my Type A personality.

Type A
design by www.kevinandmel.com
These past  few days, our Bible reading schedule* has led us through the detailed explanations of Exodus chapters 25-32. The LORD God gave Moses explicit instructions on how to construct the Ark of the Covenant, the Tabernacle, the Altar, the Priestly Garments, and more. Most people would probably skim these sections as if they were reading those wordy genealogies sprinkled throughout Scripture. You know, it's just one of those things you all but ignore unless you're a scholar and need to study the passage for a certain reason. 

It may have something to do with my personality, or my desire to thoroughly comprehend each Scripture passage I read this year, but these chapters really struck me. Suddenly, like never before, I was in awe of MY God's attention to detail. He cared about every single aspect of each building project. God gave Moses instructions--that were more like commands--with precise dimensions, exact materials, and intricate ornamentation.  

The Lord wanted things "just-so" in order to ensure the holy set-apart-ness of each object. These weren't going to be run of the mill tents and boxes and garb. No, these were the representation of YHWH (YAHWEH--the very Spirit and Breath of God). They deserved special treatment, perfect details, elaborate jewels, awe-inspiring designs, and specific materials that were worthy of His presence. 

And you wouldn't believe how exciting, how comforting it was to realize that my Type A personality--the part of me that needs order, values the aesthetic, desires details--was a shadow of my Creator. The same quirks I so often get teased for, are the ways that I am uniquely created in HIS IMAGE. How cool is that?! 

So the next time you make fun of someone for being "uptight" about details or you feel like you're the crazy one for needing order in your life, recognize the reality--that is one aspect of our Lord God's essence. 





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