“Be sure that you make everything according to the pattern I have shown you here on the mountain.” Exodus 25:40

I have been pondering these words for several days. Moses is on the mountain and God is giving him directions for the building of the Ark, the Table, and the Lampstand. These directives were for the building of the place where God would meet them. For forty days God talked with Moses and gave instructions for Moses to deliver to the Israelites. And when God finishes these directions, He tells Moses to “make sure” they build according to the pattern.

I have thought about how I have followed His directions according to His pattern. James 3:10 says “Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.” I certainly have not followed that pattern recently. Not that I am in the habit of cursing, but it has happened. I go to the mountain in prayer, and yet when I return to the world I again veer from the pattern.

I also contemplated the pattern of how I treat my fellow man. Matthew 7:12 “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew sums up the Law, but I messed up the pattern. It isn’t that I don’t know to follow, but it happens, and the pattern is blotted again. And I feel the need to go back to the mountain of prayer. And the largest piece of the pattern John shares when he quotes Jesus, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35) With this piece, He tells us to be sure we are doing life according to His pattern. It is this pattern of love that brings the Whole together. God’s love and our love is His complete plan for the world.

I need to go to the mountain each day and examine my life, study the pattern again and make sure I am building my life according to God’s plan. Won’t you join me?

“