God’s word is the owner’s manual to life. Failure to read it daily can send me sliding down a slippery slope toward danger.
2MefromHim Devotional
Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.
Proverbs 4:6
My stomach rolled as my Jeep started a sickening slide toward the edge of the driveway and the thirty-foot drop off. Other people struggled with the frozen slip-and-slide we call a driveway, never me. However, I was no longer driving my 15-year-old faithful friend, and my new Jeep was failing its first serious test.
The memory of my North-Dakota-raised father’s calm voice caused me to yearn for a stick shift and clutch rather than this new 9-speed Fiat transmission. “Second gear, ease off on the clutch, gentle on the gas …”
How many times have I done this before? I’ll get it this time.
“Ahhh!” Tears sprung to my eyes as I slid again. Downshifting and easing on the brake, I stopped a precarious few feet from the edge. My boots sunk knee-deep as I climbed out and slammed the door. Hanging my purse around my neck to free my hands, I made my way to the tailgate, opened it, and grabbed my pointed walking sticks to steady my humiliating walk down the hill. No need to damage my dignity further with a fall.
“Maybe you should read the owner’s manual again.” My husband’s suggestion sliced at my already shredded self-confidence.
“I know what I’m doing.”
His words niggled at me as I waited for him to tow me out. How many times have I muddled through a situation on information I thought I knew only to realize I had forgotten some key piece of information.
How many times have I taught that God’s word is the owner’s manual for life? Was this situation any different? I had no confidence in the little dial that replaced a clutch and gearshift. Perhaps I should listen to my own advice.
Failure to spend time in God’s word on a daily basis allows knowledge to become stale and old, key pieces forgotten when a quick response is required. Confidence wavers.
An owner’s manual closed in the glove box since summer is no more help on a slippery slope than a dusty Bible on a nightstand when life takes a free fall into the unexpected. I need a healthy dose of God’s word on a daily basis. Coupled with prayer, scripture reveals answers before I even know what I need.
The time to read the owner’s manual is not when sliding down a slippery slope, but before stepping out the door.
© Copyright by Norma Gail Thurston Holtman, January 12, 2016
About the author:
Norma Gail’s debut contemporary Christian romance, Land of My Dreams, released in April 2014. She led women’s Bible studies for over 21 years. Her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, FaithWriters, Romance Writers of America, and the New Mexico Christian Novelists. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 39 years. They have two adult children.
Connect with Norma:
Website: www.normagail.org
Book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQbZIoC_JSE
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorNormaGail
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+NormaGailwrites
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/normagailth/boards/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7874459
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Norma_Gail
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/norma-gail-thurston-holtman/42/71a/3b2
Book Links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Land-My-Dreams-Norma-Gail/dp/1941103170
Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas Bookstore: http://store.lpcbooks.com/product/land-of-my-dreams/
10 Comments
Norma, I think this is one of your best devotions yet! THIS: An owner’s manual closed in the glove box since summer is no more help on a slippery slope than a dusty Bible on a nightstand when life takes a free fall into the unexpected. I need a healthy dose of God’s word on a daily basis. Coupled with prayer, scripture reveals answers before I even know what I need.
The time to read the owner’s manual is not when sliding down a slippery slope, but before stepping out the door.” I need to imprint this on my heart and soul. Thank you for this reminder. Much love 🙂
Thank you, Marcie! I so often let my priorities get out of line, or read without applying. I needed the reminder too!
Marcie, that’s the VERY same passage that spoke to me as well. Great minds think alike 🙂 I love this Norma. Thank you.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving your encouragement, Nan! You are a blessing!
I’ve been really thinking lately about how the Bible, when I first became a Christian 8 years ago, changed my life. I always thought it was a fictional story, or the Old Testament was too violent, so I never read the Bible..but when I started Bible study I was in awe, scripture jumping off the page into my heart! What a harrowing story about your jeep, but such a good analogy! Visiting today from Christian Women Bloggers unite!
Thanks for stopping by, Kathy! I led Bible studies for 21 years and I still learn something new every time I open God’s word, even parts That are very familiar to me. The Bible truly is “living and active”! Keep up your study!
Norma Gail, great way to describe the importance of being in His Word daily. Glad you are alright and able to use this to point others closer to Him!
Thank you, Christina! I am so glad you enjoyed it! God bless you!
Great analogy! And wow, glad you were able to stop the car before the drop-off.
Thanks for sharing this encouragement!
Thank you, Sarah! Having a dad from North Dakota helped. 4-wheeling in Colorado helped. The Lord brought back everything I’d ever learned. I’m glad it encouraged you!