When you buy a car, the manufacturers will furnish it with an owner’s manual. The intent of the owner’s manual is to instruct the owner regarding the proper use of the vehicle, how to maintain it and even a troubleshooting section if things aren’t working as they should. If you ignore the best practices or the maintenance, things will begin to fall apart. If you are having trouble with its proper function, but don’t consult the manual or take it to a repair shop, what could have been an enjoyable ride can end up being the thing that stalls and leaves you stranded and costs you much to get it fixed.
God created your life. With it He furnished an owner’s manual – the Bible. The Bible gives instruction as to how to live your life to the fullest, how to maintain your life and even how to troubleshoot if things are going wrong. It is unfortunate that so few take time to read the owner’s manual in order that they might have the best life they could have. There is a verse in the Bible that is straightforward when it says, — “You made me; you created me. Now give me the sense to follow your commands.” Psalm 119:73 (NLT). And then it says, — “The commandments of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are clear, giving insight for living.” Psalm 19:8 (NLT).
I like when it says, “give me the sense to follow your commands.” If God made me, He knows what is best for the life that He gave me. In fact, Jesus said that He came that we might have life to the fullest. John 10:10. And even if I am having trouble the instructions from the owner’s manual says, — “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.” Psalm 46:1 (NLT).
Living in this world means lots of trouble. Even as Jesus said, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NLT). Jesus will help us overcome our troubles and His owner’s manual, the Bible, will give us the instructions. So, I would encourage you to take a few moments each day, maybe start with reading the Proverbs chapter the same as the day of the month, and see if there might be insight for living.
But sometimes you need the help of a repair shop. I would encourage you to find a good church where they emphasize instructions from the Bible, helping you to know what is in God’s owner’s manual for living and giving you insight for living.
