PERSPECTIVES / DAVID C. HOWARD / OWNERS MANUAL / 20240721

From cover-to-cover the Bible (God's) word encompasses everything we need. However, we cannot read the seamless and carefully woven nature of its contents as a common novel or book, completely detached from the pleadings of our heart and the utterings of our soul. We comprehend the essence thereof because the Holy Spirit leads and guides us through scripture. We, therefore, grasp the complex nature of its precepts because our hearts have been conditioned to receive what our eyes cannot see. Who has deceived us in such a way to believe creation can dictate terms and outcomes to the Creator? Do we believe, at our command His hand is stilled, as if we, in this life, have an infinite amount of time? "We do not".
Imagine all the things we have tried to fix or put together in our life. Every single item we purchase comes with the owner’s manual and operating instructions. In addition, the manual provides guidance for use, and maximum capacities. And if for some reason you have followed all the instructions, and it still does not work, the product usually comes with as well a step-by-step trouble shooting guide, in which we typically discover that we have skipped a step in assembly, or in the “start-up” process. However, if we are like most people (especially men), we look at the picture on the box, or nowadays look at “do-it-yourself” (DIY) tutorials UA-cam, cutting through what we believed to be all the unnecessary time of reading page by page the intricate details of what someone has purposefully put together. Likewise, when we are asked if we want the “extended” warranty, often, we decline, believing it is a waste of time and money. We say to ourselves, “we can just get another one.”
There are manufacturer specifications, and yet we will allow an uncertified mechanic to work on our vehicle. True. It may be cheaper, but we wind up paying for it eventually, such is the saying, "you can pay me now, or you can pay me later". We expect planes to fly, busses to be on time, and our cars to start as soon as we turn the key, without ever reading the owner’s manual, “until ….” We should not be as reckless with our salvation for we did not come with a manufacturer defect. The owner created us in His image, perfected unto righteousness. Hence, if problems occur, we may find it necessary to check the power source (is it of God or man), check the fluids (are they low), or are we passed due for a much-needed tune-up, because our timing is off. Things we take for granted, that can leave us stranded or otherwise susceptible to waiting for someone, anyone to rescue us, but there will come a time when it is far too late.
Today’s Podcast is titled.
Owner’s Manual