We live on a busy street. Cars zoom by almost constantly, many with booming stereo systems. I’ve resorted to earplugs for several years to drown out the noise and fall asleep.
I open a new pair of earplugs every week or so. These orange silencers come in tiny, sealed plastic bags that I fight to open. My scissors are rarely nearby, so I poke a hole in the bag with a pen. Then I tear the plastic until the stubborn bag opens.
A few days after I struggled to open the last pair, I noticed a dotted perforated line near the top. My heart raced. I pulled across the blue perforations and quickly poured the noise stoppers out of the package. It was as easy as breathing. I had worked hard to free my sleeping tools from their packaging for all these years. Why did it take me so long to find the instructions?
This experience reminded me of how many people, at least in free countries, have access to Bibles if they want them. The Word of God is God’s instruction manual for the ages, but many don’t see the need for a life instruction manual.
Fortunately, many do open God’s Word and find its magnificent pages packed with meaning and applications. This life-changing book was always available, but their hands had never opened it.
More than at any other time in history, we have access to paper, online, and app Bibles. Most underestimate the value of such a gift. But if we happen to open the most printed book in history, God will fill us with joy and wisdom.
Sometimes the best instructions are within our grasp, but we don’t see them. Find yours in the Bible.
Cherrie Herrin-Michehl is a writer.