Proverbs 4:13
Take hold of instruction; do not let go. Guard her, for she is your life.
I’ve wasted my fair share of time by not reading instructions. This includes directions for a road trip, instructions for putting a bike together, and error messages on the computer. My natural tendency is to skip the reading and to “get on with the work.” Unfortunately, that’s not the wisest way to approach life.
Proverbs has a lot to say when it comes to wisdom. The importance of instructions is one of the many reoccurring themes you’ll come across. This verse talks about taking hold of instruction as if it were some type of visible object. What a helpful way of put things into perspective!
I’ve been known to ignore instructions for many different reasons. In doing so, I can tell you that the instructions have never forced themselves into my hand or made my face turn and read them. That’s because it’s my job to seek them out and to understand them. The problem is, I don’t value them like I should. Proverbs explains that instruction is “your life.” That sound’s pretty important to me.
I pray that you would learn to value God’s instruction with this level of fervency. Take hold of it and guard it! You’ll be surprised how greatly a little bit of instruction can improve a large part of your life.