Instructions / Manual for Life

Scriptures: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

Over the last weekend, I have been trying to install a Sybase ASE server and to restore a backup of our production database on my laptop so I can have access to the system wherever I go. However, because I am using a free copy of the product from Sybase, it didn’t come with any instructions, or manuals. As a result, it took me 2 days to get the installation of the server done.

As for the restore of the database, it’s even more complicated because the server configuration between here and Hong Kong are different. So, up until now, I have not been able to get it restored and online for my work. I think I am having so many troubles because of 2 reasons: (1) I have not received a proper training and, (2) I do not have the instruction manual needed for this task.

As I was struggling through this process, it reminded me that we often have the same problems in life. Every day, we run into something new, something our past experiences simply can’t help and we become lost and frightened. None of us are really well trained enough to be ready for everything in life. These new and unexpected things can be our blessings and reasons for looking forward to each new day. But, we often take them the wrong way and end up with anxiety and frustrations.

But, things really did not have to be like that. Although we are not trained for every situation in life, we do have a leader who knows them all. He is Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior who has overcome the world and is interceding for us daily now. He knows what’s happening in our lives and is willing to extend His helping hands. What we need to do is to come before Him, acknowledge our needs of Him and trust Him for His leadership.

In addition, we do have a “manual” for life provided by God, our Creator and Sustainer. That is the Bible. In this book, He has outline in details what His will and plan for us; He has specific instructions on how are supposed to tackle every situation in life; He also provided many examples for our review and learning; if only we take time to study, memorize and learn.

More than these, He has sent a personal tutor, guide and counselor to our aid. He is the Holy Spirit, the Comforter God has sent in the name of our Lord Jesus. Not only is He here to give us a new life in the Lord, to teach us all truth, and to bear witness of our Lord Jesus, He is also here to empower us so we can live a life of triumph as our Lord did.

Who said our lives have to be lonely and hopeless? Who said we have to go through our lives feeling hurt and helpless? I am once again humbled and reminded by Paul’s proclamation, “What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.5Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:31-39)

Praise the Lord!

Prayer Requests:
Those struggling with career growth or career choices

Prayer:
Our loving Father, thank You for always being there for and with us. As we are prone to be distracted by things of this world, we ask that the Comforter you have sent us continue to move, guide and teach us so we can go through this journey in life as a good and faithful servant. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!