I Just Look at the Pictures

I don’t like reading instructions. I have this bad habit of buying items that require assembly and I won’t read the instructions that come with the packaging. I just look at the pictures. There are VERY rare occasions when this approach works. John on the other hand, actually reads the instructions. And as I type, I really can’t think of an instance where his approach did not work. If it didn’t work, it was because the item was defective. Now, one would think that I would change my approach because the number of times my way worked compared to John’s way, well…Needless to say, my approach beget wasted time, sometimes loss of money, the ‘I told you so’ look from John because he would never actually let the words come out of his mouth, and frustration. All because I didn’t want to take the time to read and follow the instructions.

Truth be told, this is how I was treating my spiritual life. I wasn’t doing the work that was required to get the most out of this gift called my life. I just didn’t want to take the time to read the Bible which I heard someone say is the instruction manual for Christians. I’ve also heard it said this way; the Bible is our Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth. Nowadays, Bibles have beautiful illustrations and different translations to help the average Christian understand the inspired Word of GOD. Although some of the translations concern me.  

This Christian walk is a lifelong journey. On this journey, we will encounter plenty of experiences -some good, some not-so-good but all with a lesson to be learned. How you respond to and learn from these experiences will give you a good indication on where you are in your spiritual walk. Sometimes the difference between good and not- so-good is how much time I spend reading and studying my instruction manual. There are times when I’ve read my manual and not understood anything I read. I’ve learned to be ok with those times. Because the beauty of being a Christian is that we have the help of the Holy Spirit. He is there to help and guide – Luke 12:12 (NIV) For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.” However, you have to give him something to work with. So…I’m learning to not just look at the pictures.

FINAL WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT:  Psalm 119:105 (NIV) Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

Doing the work upfront is better than a redo any day.

Be Encouraged! Be Blessed!

this Pastor’s Wife