One day, a young man named Michael decided to go and purchase a car. He had worked hard for several years to save his money. He did not want an expensive car, just a good car that he would need when he attended University later that year. He had worked evenings and weekends during his last few years of high school and finally had gathered the necessary funds.
He was excited! With his father he went to purchase the vehicle that would serve him well for the years he was in university. Before going out, they prayed for the Lord to direct them to make the right purchase, that they would get a good solid car for a reasonable price.
After going to several dealers, and test driving many cars, finally they found one that would be reliable. They had prayed for a sign from the Lord, and the Lord answered their prayer and the purchase was made.
It was several days after the purchase of the car before Michael could receive the car. All the necessary papers would need to be filled out and the registration and plates had to be obtained. Michael had never owned a car before, and so was very excited when the day came for the car to be picked up.
Michael went with his father to the dealer and as the salesman was handing him the keys, he asked Michael if he would like to have the salesman go over some of the features in the car with him.
Michael was too excited and impatient to wait so he declined the offer and simply stated. “I’m sure I can figure it out by myself. Thanks anyway.”
The salesman understood, seeing the excitement on the face of Michael. “Okay, but if you do find that you need help, the owner’s manual is in the glove compartment.” He wished him well and Michael was off.
Michael’s father followed him in his own car as they went home and parked his car in the driveway. It was late in the day so he decided he would not drive it any more that night. In his evening prayers he thanked the Lord for the vehicle and prayed that, not only would it serve him well, but he prayed that somehow he also could be a blessing for others with his car.
The next morning Michael was up early and was out the door. He wanted to go out and drive his car once again. He excitedly ran to the car, inserted the key, and pulled on the door, but it would not open. Michael thought to himself, “That’s odd, the doors opened at the dealership yesterday with no problem. How could this be? Had not the Lord provided this vehicle for him in answer to prayer? Was the vehicle already having mechanical problems? Michael was very much disturbed and his thoughts troubled him as he walked around the car looking longingly into the windows admiring the clean interior. At that time Michael’s friend Scott came over.
“Nice car, Michael,” said Scott. “But why are you walking around the outside looking in? Why not just get in and drive rather than just looking in the windows? ”
Michael replied mournfully, “I just got this car yesterday and today the doors are stuck. I think the salesman was dishonest with me, even though I prayed. I don’t know what kind of lesson the Lord is trying to teach me. I spent all my savings and do not have money to repair the stuck doors. I will have to work a few more weeks to make some more money.”
Scott laughed and said, “Stuck? Did you try unlocking the doors first?”
“I did,” Michael replied. “Let me show you.” He put the key into the door lock, but the door would not open no matter how hard he tried to turn.
“You better be careful or you’ll break that key off in the lock.” Scott replied. “Let me see your key,” he added.
“Do you have another key?” Asked Scott
Michael quickly replied, “Yes, I have two, I thought they were both the same. I left the other one in my bedroom. Let me go and get it.”
When he brought the key he handed it to Scott. Upon comparison they were actually two different keys. “I bet this one is for the trunk that you have been trying. Try the one you had in your bedroom.” replied Scott.
Michael finally unlocked the car doors with the key that had been in his bedroom and sat behind the wheel. He was now ready to go for a drive. Scott joined him in the passenger seat.
“Do you know what all the controls are for, Michael?” asked Scott.
Michael replied, “No not yet. I’ll get around figuring them out sometime soon, I am sure I know the basics. Right now I want to take my car out for a little drive!”
Scott cautioned, “If I were you, I would take a few minutes to read the manual.”
But Michael was impatient. Scott got out of the car as he had to be back home, and he watched as Michael backed out of the driveway.
Away went Michael down the street. The drive was going well. Michael felt exhilarated as he drove around the town and into the countryside. After an hour, he decided to return home. As he neared his home, it started to rain. Then it rained harder and harder. Michael could barely see and was frantically looking around for the windshield wipers. He could not stop on this busy road with cars all around him. He tried this button, and than one; this lever and that. In his distraction, he scraped his car on a stone wall at the side of the road. The sickening sound of scraping metal made Michael very upset. A little further he found a place to stop. He pulled over and searched for the windshield wipers. He finally found them and drove the rest of the way home slowly and safely.
Although the car was still driveable, it had a nasty looking scrape on the side. It will be a costly repair, but Michael learned his lesson. He went home, thanked God that it was not worse and he took out the owner’s manual and began to read.
Many people are like Michael. They think the knowledge they have is enough get them through life. They are in such a hurry to get on with life that they do not take time to read the owner’s manual God gave them. This owner’s manual, the Bible, can help us have a richer, more fulfilled life in so many ways. It is wise to read the Bible often and follow the guidelines God has laid out for us. Time spent in worship is not time wasted. Even though we have a busy day ahead of us, the time for worship should not be shortened. The things of eternity should have first place in our lives. Only as we make time with the Lord—in reading His owner’s manual for life on this earth, will we find peace and happiness. The Lord is waiting for you every morning when you wake up. Will you take time with Him to read through His manual?