My dad is in the hardware business, so when I was growing up, I received many electrical gifts at Christmas time--clock radio, tape player, electric toothbrush! He always instructed, "Read the directions before you use it." He had two reasons. One--he didn't want the new gift damaged by operating it in the wrong way. Secondly--I had been given a nice gift, sometimes with new features. If I was not familiar with all the product could do, I could never use it to its fullest and the price he paid for it would be wasted. He wanted me to get his money's worth!
In contrast, how many times have we seen someone trying to operate a new product--a VCR or a computer--frustrated and defeated as they experiment, trying to "figure it out" on their own. They may get it working eventually, but can they use it to the fullest? And wouldn't it have been easier and less frustrating to read the instructions first? The people who made it, understand it, and know the most about it provided the directions to help you.
God is our Master Designer. He created us and understands how we operate. He knows us better than we know ourselves. He has given us a wonderful, complete user's manual called the Bible--God's instruction book for life. All the teaching and principles we need for living can be found within the pages of God's Word, but we must read it! Think of all the hurts, problems, and "damage" that is done in life that could have been avoided by following His instruction. Jesus came that we might have an abundant and full life (John 10:10). He desires that we have joy, peace, victory, fruitfulness. These are just a few of the "features" of the Christian life, and the Bible instructs us in how we can experience these.
Are you living the Christian life to the fullest? Or are you frustrated and defeated trying to figure things out on your own? Read the directions! And follow them!
Becky
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