The Owners Manual

The Owners Manual
by Mike

Once upon a time there was a man named Michael. One particular day Michael was very
excited, this was the day his brand new car was being delivered. Michael had never owned
a car before but he knew that owning a car would help him in many ways. Michael had
worked hard to get this car. He saved his money for several years so that he could buy the car.

The moment finally arrived. The delivery man from the car dealership pulled into the
driveway with Michael's brand new shiny car. Michael was so excited!

The delivery man asked, "Would you like me to go over some of the car's features with you?"

Michael replied, "No that's okay I'm sure I can figure it out by myself, thanks anyway."

The delivery man said, "Okay, if you do find you need help, the owners manual is in the
glove department." The delivery man handed Michael the keys, wished him luck and left.

Michael excitedly ran to the car and pulled on the door, but it wouldn't open. Michael
thought, that's odd, the car at the dealership doors would open. Michael walked around
the car looking into the windows thinking how soft the seats looked. At that time Michael's
friend Scott came over.

Scott said, "Nice car Michael, but why are you walking around the outside looking in?"

Michael said, "I just got this car and the doors are stuck."

Scott laughed and said, "Stuck? Did you try unlocking the doors?"

Michael sheepishly replied, "Well no, not yet, I was just getting ready to."

Michael put one of the keys into the door lock, but it wouldn't open the door no matter
how hard Michael tried to turn it.

Scott said, "Better be careful or you'll break that key off in the lock. That key is to the car's
trunk. Try the other key."

Michael quickly replied, "I was just getting ready to try that."

Michael finally unlocked the car doors and sat behind the wheel. Michael breathed in
deeply and said, "Don't you just love that new car smell?"

Scott said, "Yes, its a great smell. Let's see how the radio sounds."

After several attempts and some guidance from Scott, Michael finally got the radio turned
on. Michael said, "Oh great, I got a radio that plays the wrong radio station and the sound
is much too low!"

Scott groaned and said, "Michael, you push these buttons to change the radio station and
turn that knob to adjust the volume level. Haven't you read the owners manual yet? That's
the first thing I did when I bought my new car."

Michael replied, "No not yet, I've been too busy, but I'll get around to it sometime soon.
Right now I want to take this beauty out for a little drive!"

Scott cautioned, "Be careful Michael and please wear your seat belt."

Michael asked, "Hey Scott, think you could give me a hand with the seat belt?"

Scott walked over and helped Michael get the seat belt adjusted and warned, "I hope
you know what your doing."

With that Michael backed out of the driveway.

Much to Michael's surprise the car kept going backwards, Michael turned the wheel and
pushed buttons but the car kept going backwards. With great horror Scott watched as
Michael backed the brand new car right into a tree. The car was ruined.

Scott ran over to Michael and asked, "Why didn't you stop?"

Michael stammered, "I didn't know how..."

Many people go through life without referring to the owners manual God gave us.
This owner manual, the Bible, can help us have a richer, more fulfilled life in so many
ways. It is wise to read the Bible often and follow the guidelines God has laid out for us.
So many people are on the outside trying to find a way in, just like Michael when he was
trying to unlock the car doors. People may try different keys or methods to get to Heaven,
but Jesus told us that He is the only way. We must trust Jesus and ask Him to forgive us
for the bad things we have done. After that we should read the Bible and pray to God, if
we do we will have a much happier life!