Recently
an ink cartridge in my printer ran out of ink. I had asked my husband to
replace it because he and my son had replaced the prior ones and I was unsure
how the process worked. Other commitments that day had prevented him from
changing the cartridge. When I attempted to use the printer the following day,
I found that the “change cartridge soon” had now become “change cartridge now”
and the printer would not work until action was taken.
Changing the cartridge itself did not appear to be
extremely difficult. The problem I encountered was that I was totally unable to
comprehend how to open the printer to reach the cartridge holder. I felt around
the sides, front, top and everywhere I could think of to no avail. I found no apparent
way to open it. It is a newer printer. I was perfectly capable of exchanging
the cartridges in the old printer. It was simply the unfamiliarity of this
machine that had me at a loss. I began pushing buttons on the help screen and
still had not found directions for changing the cartridge. Becoming frustrated,
I tried one more arrow. This arrow took me not only to directions to change the
cartridge but also to a video that illustrated the entire process in. It showed
how to open the door on the machine, release the used cartridge, and install
the new one. It could not have been simpler once I looked in the right place.
We often find ourselves in similar situations in life.
Seasons change and like my new printer, things are now different. They can be
unfamiliar and difficult to understand. At times like this it is not
inappropriate to turn to a trusted friend for help. Rather than allowing this
friend to do things for us, it is better to learn from his/her expertise. A
mature believer can lead us to spiritual principles and God’s wisdom, but we
must learn to follow God on our own.
Sometimes assistance is not available from people. We
need to know where to go to get the knowledge we require. God's Word is an
instruction manual for everything we need in this life. He provides not only
the instructions, but also illustrates the steps we are to take. Jesus told
parables to give pictures of spiritual principles. Throughout the Old and New
Testament, prophets and teachers have also used pictures to relate God’s plan.
The Scriptures are an illustrated guide book intended to make God’s will
understandable to man.
In a
new season of life, we must know exactly where to go to find the instructions
for the next step. God's Word is always where we need to look. If we continue
to pursue His wisdom, the Holy Spirit will direct us to the exact picture that
we need. “I [the Lord] will instruct you and teach you in the way
you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.” (Psalm 32:8 AMP) God reveals Himself to us through His Word
and by the Holy Spirit. “But
when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you
into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own
message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the
Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will
announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in
the future].” (John 16:13 AMP)
When
things appear to be dark, “Your
word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105 AMP)
Scripture provides direction to those who search for it. “Then you will seek Me, inquire
for, and require Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me when you search for Me
with all your heart.” (Jeremiah
29:13 AMP) Scripture will lead us
to Jesus who is the door. “So
Jesus said again, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that I Myself am the
Door for the sheep.” (John
10:7 AMP) We can release the old. “Do not [earnestly] remember the
former things; neither consider the things of old.” (Isaiah 43:18 AMP) And learn to
walk in a new plan of God. “Behold,
I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it
and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and
rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah
43:19 AMP)
When life
becomes confusing look for your direction in God’s Word. You will find the way
to proceed in all of your decisions.
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