Stepping Stones: Wisdom: Using the Creator’s Instruction Manual

Transformational Thought

I remember when I was putting together one of the girl’s first bicycles on Christmas Eve. It was past midnight and I still wasn’t finished, but was getting more frustrated as the pedals wouldn’t work. Martine came down and “encouraged” me to use the instruction manual so we could get to bed. Wow, 15 minutes later we were snug in our bed.

If you look up the word “wisdom” you will find as the first definition, “having the ability to make sensible decisions and judgments.” It’s been said, “to live is to choose.” And how many times have bad decisions put us in that downward spiral? Today’s scripture reading tells us that to receive God’s wisdom (think about that for a moment … God’s wisdom) all we have to do is ask … but there’s a condition … we must ask in faith.

I know I look back every 5 years or so and say, “Wow, if only I knew then what I know now ….” The problem is, I think I know everything now and what God should allow to happen in my life. But in 5 years, I will again say, “Wow, if only I knew then what I know now….” It is always like that. We will never know enough to be the one trusted to really be in charge and call the shots.

I am amazed by our pride and stubbornness as we continually rely on our own understanding instead of His, even when we know our track record in certain areas is terrible. Reading the manufacturer’s instruction manual always works. Winging the assembly of my life on my own costs me time, energy, money, and lots of stress and frustration. He is my creator, made for amazing endeavors, and has given me the most amazing Instruction Manual ever written. We have to be idiots not to follow it. But amazingly, we chuck it to the side and use our own bogus manual written by Satan, the world, and our flesh.

Today, stop facing life’s challenges and storms in a half-witted way. Instead let’s ask for and receive from Him who “gives generously and without finding fault”. Why would we want to make decisions with any wisdom other than His? Pretty arrogant, isn’t it … thinking we know it all, especially knowing our own track record. Be wise. Whose instruction manual are you using to assemble your life … yours or HIS? WITHIN REACH helps you apply His Instruction Manual to your decisions. Your decision, choose well.

Prayer
Father, I am learning Lord, that the battles I fight each day are not always fair. But through these battles I trust that You are watching over me and that You have a plan for me and for all of us. I have challenges that are far too great for me to overcome. I thank You, Lord, for helping me endure these burdens with Your presence and by bringing this Stepping Stones prayer community together. During times of burdens and trials, I lack wisdom, Lord. I don’t know what to do … which way to turn. But then I turn to the gift of faith that you have given me … and that faith leads me to believe that I will receive Your wisdom. You tell me in James 1:5-6 that if I lack wisdom all I need to do is to ask You and You will give Your wisdom generously. I am asking Lord, give me Your wisdom this day. I ask with faith and without doubt. Give all of us Your wisdom and peace, so that we too can be victorious in our battles and trials ... and weather well the storms in our lives. I ask You, my Lord and God, to align my desires with Your purpose. I pray this in the name of the One who used Your instruction manual when tempted by the evil one, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!

The Truth
How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.
Proverbs 16:16

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
James 1:5-6

So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:4-6