The Details Matter

In the hallway of our home, we have an old junction box with several wires that were once connected to something before we moved in 18 years ago but haven’t been connected to anything since. The wires were capped off, but they are still inside the box. Ever since we moved in, the smoke detector has hung over that open box.

Recently, our smoke detector started acting up, so we took it off the wall to fix it. Since it was down, we decided to go ahead and get the supplies to properly cover up the open junction box. While I was at the store to get a new smoke detector, my husband texted me a link to the needed supplies for the repair.

When I received the text, I was at Lowe’s in the electrical aisle, looking at what I thought we might need for the job. However, when I opened the link, it showed me a different aisle number than where I was, so I made my way to the correct aisle.

As I stood in the new aisle, I felt pretty confused. That aisle didn’t have any electrical supplies—it was actually full of light bulbs. The link clearly stated aisle 10, bin 6. I looked around and knew it wasn’t right, but I couldn’t figure out why the Lowe’s website would have the wrong aisle and bin listed.

I looked at the link again and realized that, for whatever reason, the website had my Lowe’s store set up as if I were in Dallas. I had to select the store in my actual city, and then the aisle and bin updated, sending me back to the aisle I’d started in with all of the electrical supplies.

I quickly found the linked items and was on my way.

When I was in the wrong aisle with all the light bulbs, I stumbled upon the smoke detector that I needed, so it wasn’t a complete waste of time. However, it did get me thinking about how misinformation can, at times, cause confusion or lead us down an unhelpful path.

The link I received was intended to help me. It had a picture of what I was looking for, and it had all of the details selected so I would know exactly what to purchase. It was incredibly clear.

Except, since the Lowe’s website thought I was in a different city, it wasn’t clear at all.

I wonder how often we see a news report and assume that all of the information being reported is factual and useful, so we just absorb that information without asking any questions or digging any deeper.

I wonder how often we read a passage of Scripture and decide what it is telling us based on our particular moment in history or the specific faith tradition that we’ve grown up in without taking the time to get curious about the particular moment in history when the words were first written.

I wonder how often we open social media and assume that a snippet of information could possibly encompass all of the details surrounding whatever topic is being discussed.

The Lowe’s website is incredibly detailed. It is crystal clear about where things are located, which is tremendously helpful when you walk into the massive store. But those details are only beneficial if you are in the right store.

We need to be curious about the information we are taking in, pay attention to signs that something is off, ask questions, wrestle with ideas, and notice when the details are wrong or when we have made a mistake.

Misinformation can cause much harm. Share responsibly.


~  Melissa