One of the joys of this
season is putting together all of those toys, games, gifts that come with a
manual. In fact it seems that almost nothing comes without a manual; whether we
are assembling the item or if they already come pre-assembled.
For items that need to be
assembled, the theory is that if we follow the instructions in the manual we will
have success. If people have trouble in
the assembly of the item, we deduct that they must not be following the manual.
Currently, there is a TV commercial for Allstate
Insurance that shows a dad building a swing set using a manual (which he is
constantly referring to) that came with the kit. He says that it will take an
hour; maybe an hour and a half; “Building the perfect childhood with my own two
hands.”
The commercial ends with the tag: “Life can
surprise you. So can an Allstate agent, by getting you a one year membership to
Angie’s List – so you don’t have to DIY.”
The problem wasn’t the manual;
I would submit that he hadn’t followed the instructions in the manual.
Similarly, in the Christian
walk, we too have a manual; the Bible. The theory is that if we follow the
instructions in the manual (the Bible), we have success.
If people are getting into
trouble in their lives, we deduct that they must not be following the manual (the
Bible). We think that the manual (the Bible) is a step by step instruction for
us to follow as though we were putting together a model airplane.
But the truth is that we are
not to simply follow the manual (the Bible), but rather we are supposed to
follow Emmanuel, the God who made us! Our lives are not to be pre-assembled or
pre-calculated. They are supposed to be a daily walk with the living God who
longs to be and share life with us. We are supposed to follow His instructions
day by day.
That is why He came to the
earth, Emmanuel (or Immanuel):
“Behold, the
virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name
Emmanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
(Matthew 1:23)
He wants us to DAILY be led
by His Holy Spirit:
“However, when
He, the Spirit of truth, has
come, He will guide you into all
truth; for He will not speak on
His own authority, but whatever
He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” (John 16:13)
“I say then: Walk
in the Spirit, and you shall not
fulfill the lust of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16)
“For as many as are led by the Spirit
of God, these are sons of God.” (Romans 8:14)
“There is therefore
now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not
walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1)
This
exhortation is for you to stop trying a manual and start following Emmanuel;
you will find your life having so much more meaning and purpose. Let Him
assemble you into to He wants you to be!
All Scripture taken from the New
King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All
rights reserved.
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