When our children were young, Christmas was a great time. We enjoyed the family togetherness and joy surrounding that season. We have many cherished memories from those Christmases. Except for the frustration of assembling toys and electronics. I was like a lot of males and usually started putting together these gifts without looking at the instructions. After much unsuccessful effort trying to put Part A into Hole B, and wasting considerable time, I would relent and consult the assembly directions.
I have since used a similar approach when acquiring new cars and electronics. The approach still does not serve me well. I need to consult the Owner’s Manual first. Besides wasting a lot of time and effort, I am finding that I miss out on a lot of the functions of these purchases by not consulting the manuals. While putting things together my way may be intuitive for me, it doesn’t consider what the manufacturer had in mind.
God wants us to consider what He, as creator of all things, has in mind whenever we begin anything. He gave us the Owner’s Manual in the Bible, which tells us how to live righteously. And He gives His Spirit to those who trust Him with their lives. His Spirit teaches us truth and the thoughts of God. I Corinthians 2:11-12 says, “For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.” Don’t be like me and fail to consult the Owner’s Manual for life. Read God’s Word and trust God to reveal Himself by His Spirit. You will rejoice in the functions you have been missing out on. More power is available to you.
Reluctant Retiree 