Operator's manual.

Let me see the hands of those who love to read operator's manuals--you know, those little booklets that tell you how to use and maintain the item for which it was written. My Dodge Caravan has one tucked inside its glove compartment. Have I read it cover to cover? Well, no.

I'd rather drive the Caravan; go places, see things. I know just enough about the vehicle to get me down the road. That's sufficient, right?

The other day I was thumbing through my Bible wondering why so many people seem to be uninspired by it. Millions are sold, but few are read. It contains interesting stories about interesting people. Of course, so does Time magazine. The Bible gives us a peek into ancient, faraway lands and cultures. So does National Geographic. Truth be told, Scripture does tend to plod along from time to time. It's simply being what it was designed to be--an operator's manual for the human race.

That's when it hit me. Inspiration isn't found in operator's manuals. The big payoff comes when we use the information they share to accomplish something meaningful. By carefully following the guidelines listed in my Caravan's manual, my wife and I can travel through breathtaking mountain passes, along sun-dappled forests, and beside undulating seas. We can visit family in distant places or drive down to the health food store for a carton of soy milk. The manual doesn't bless us. It simply tells us how to go and find the blessings waiting down the road.

Suddenly my Bible shines with a whole new meaning. In its pages, I discover what I need to do, where I need to go, and what I must believe in order to live a life filled with inspiration and blessing. It's the use of its information that brings the richest rewards.

If you and your Bible have become strangers, take it down from the shelf, blow off the dust, and give it a careful, prayerful read. Let it teach you how to live. Then enjoy the inspiration and blessings that its leading will bring into your journey of life.