Anyone who knows me realizes that I am a man that doesn’t generally read instruction manuals.
When my son was eight, I recall getting him a ten-speed bicycle for Christmas. The box had a number of parts located within two big plastic bags. After the children had gone to sleep it was time to assemble the bicycle.
Did I look over the instruction sheets? No way. It’s not natural for an “ADHD” personality, like me, to read the instructions until I encounter a problem. Within thirty minutes the bicycle was assembled.
Proudly, I turned the pedal only to have the chain fall off. I looked around on the garage floor and found about ten extra parts. Then I glanced at the instruction booklet and saw where a few of the extra parts were supposed to go. I had to disassemble it and begin again. Once again I finished the bicycle and was ready to test it. There were still a few extra parts, but I just imagined that the manufacturer was just being considerate of the “dumb” consumer by adding parts.
Wrong! The bicycle did not work properly, again. Finally, I sat down on the garage floor at 1:00 in the morning and read the instruction booklet from cover to cover. Amazingly, it went together exactly like it was designed. As you can tell, I’ve learned the hard way to read the instructions.
My wife, Lynnette, is exceptional at this task. I appreciate the fact that she reads every label and instruction booklet before beginning a project. And because she does, her efforts are successful. It drives my personality crazy, but I appreciate that she does it every time.
In Proverbs King Solomon encourages us to seek wisdom, and throughout the Scriptures, the Lord has given us instructions on how to live successful lives. Yet, too often we do not read the Bible or heed His advice until we have made terrible mistakes.
It’s only then that we remember His instruction book.
Don’t you think it is time for us to pull out the instruction manual and see what He has to say about living successful lives? Maybe not wealthy lives, but successful lives!