Did you ever stop and wonder how many great Saturdays have been wasted by trying to fix something or add an accessory to your motorcycle by yourself? How frustration took the place of satisfaction, and of riding, when you tried to do it yourself? Only to be reminded by a loved one, "did you read the directions?" You know, that piece of paper you immediately throw out when opening the box. The one with the many languages, and the pictures to guide you if you can't read. If not, you probably are lying. And when you finally did consult the instructions that came with the part, argued even more with them, as you you find there is no way the instructions could be right. And the final insult where in frustration you read the removal instructions, which state "to remove reverse installation procedure." Not getting it that if I had done it right I wouldn't have to remove the part and do it again, and I already know how to remove it incorrectly based on my incorrect installation. Then putting all the pieces back in the box, and taking them to your mechanic, who tells you it is no big deal, give me 30 minutes. Until he takes a look at the parts, and asks "you tried to work on this yourself, didn't you?" The sum total of your frustration is you may have damaged things, you lost a day riding, were embarrassed by the mechanic laughing at your attempts, and be sure that this story will reach the ears of all your friends when they visit him, and your wallet is thinner-all because you tried to do it yourself. But the words you hated to hear most, were echoed by your wife, "did you read the instructions?" For sadly this wasn't your first attempt, and even sadder won't be you last. Which she will remind of next time. So how was your ride last Saturday?
Life can be cruel when you don't follow the instructions. Even crueler when you know how to do something, but don't. That is why God offers grace for salvation, because when put in the hands of men, we don't follow the instructions. We take short cuts, or end up making it worse, before we finally call on Jesus to help us out. Some of the ways we try are to memorize the scriptures-that'll do it. But knowing them and putting them into practice are two different things. More church can be like not reading the first step in the instructions if you show up late. You need to start at the beginning. Bible studies may increase your knowledge and provide fellowship, but can be a poor substitute for what God has for you. Don't even shop your problem around, you will find that opinions will be worse than facts. Simply put-without the spirit guiding you, you just won't get it. You may have knowledge, but sacrifice wisdom. You may know all the laws, but fail to see you can't keep them. And you might just end up with religion, and be bound to something you think is the truth.
God tells us that He writes His laws on our heart. Right there where they should be. Not memorized, or categorized, or filed away-but readily available, so available you don't need to call on them, for they provide the words that even come out of your mouth before you have a chance to think and screw them up. The main word God writes on your heart is love. And since He is love, you are an autographed copy of the book He wrote. It doesn't get much better than that.
Suddenly you remember things as opposed to memorizing them. You have insight from God as opposed to studying various other studies. You know where to go, and find yourself immersed in the gospel, simply by following God's instructions, conveniently written on your heart. Imagine a marriage ruled by laws instead of love. Do you need to memorize how much you love your spouse? Or what to do or not do to please her? That isn't love.
Only Jesus adds the much needed provision of forgiveness, when you do fail. Jesus doesn't remind of your faults, He has forgotten them. He just does the repair so you can get on with life. Which beats sitting in the garage on a nice day frustrated when you should be riding.
So stay in God's owners manual daily. Let Him transfer the contents to your heart. Go riding instead of trying to fix a self inflicted wound. Trust God! If He can save your soul from death and damnation, the rest ought to be easy, right? Seems I read that somewhere in the instructions. Let me see, they were just here. Yup, right where I put them, in the trash, er file. To be used later if needed.
We need Jesus now. Maybe it is time to dump the trash, and trust Him. Stay in the word. Let the author sign your heart with a personal notation just for you. And for the times you misplace what you need to know, He is there 24/7. No recording, no voice mail, and never being put on hold. No appointment necessary.
And enjoy the ride. Safe and secure that all the parts were installed correctly by the creator. Now, what do they mean by simple hand tools? Is a hammer a simple hand tool?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com