About a year ago I was given a nice little Sony digital camera. Although curious about the technology, it isn't likely that I would have purchased a digital camera any time soon because I have been content with my old-fashioned Minolta. The digital camera came with a detailed book of instructions. Now, you would think that I would begin by reading the book. I opened it! But, way too many words faced me, so I closed it and put the camera back in the box. Spring 2009 rolled around and I decided to learn how to use my camera. For me, that meant just using it. I still haven't read the directions. Josiah, (my son) helped me load my 1st bunch of pictures onto my computer and then I figured out how to export them to other places. I am hooked! Good-bye Minolta!One morning I shot a picture of the magnolia blossom in the photo. For some reason, this year my Southern Magnolia tree has had more blooms than ever before. I wish that you could smell the delicious fragrance! Nothing, other than the rose even comes close to its wonderful perfume. As you can see, the insects like it, too.
If all else fails... read the directions is not an approach that I would recommend for most things. I certainly didn't learn cooking, drawing & painting, piano, gardening and numerous other things that way. In fact, when I am interested in learning something new, I can spend hours researching. I am currently in that process with learning how to groom my Shih Tzu dog, Max. I may even invest in a DVD that takes me step by step through the process. I am determined to learn!
Sometimes in our walk with the Lord, it is easy to regard His Word as one of those guides that we take a look at when all else fails, or NOT! Maybe we are too tired to read, or too overwhelmed by all of the words, or we run to our friends and loved ones to find solutions or consolation. How determined are we to learn God's ways? How determined are we to know the One who loved us so much that He gave up 100% of Himself so that we could have redemption? Are we determined enough to spend hours reading and searching His Word so that we can live life right? It probably doesn't matter much if I learn to use my digital camera by trial and error. It does matter if I live my life that way! Wrong choices, no matter if intended or not can result in a lifetime of heartache. We only get one chance at life. To live life right, one needs direction. God has given us all the directions that we need for living this life in His Word. Psalm 119 clearly expresses that concept. What a great gift His Word is to us! Let us read it and reap the blessings that He has promised!
O Word of God incarnate, O wisdom from on high,
O Truth unchanged, unchanging, O Light of our dark sky;
We praise You for the radiance that from the hallowed page,
A lantern to our footsteps, shines on from age to age.
The Church from You, our Savior, received the Gift divine,
And still that Light is lifted over all the earth to shine.
It is the sacred Vessel where gems of truth are stored;
It is the heaven drawn picture of CHrist, the living Word.
The Scripture is a banner before God's host unfurled;
It is a shining Beacon above the darkling world.
It is the Chart and Compass that over life's surging tide,
Mid mists and rocks and quicksands, to You, O Christ, will guide.
O make your Church, dear Savior, a lamp of purest gold,
To bear before the nations Your true light as of old.
O teach your wandering pilgrims by this their path to trace,
Till, clouds and darkness ended, they see you face to face. (words by William How)
