I have a beagle that has to take prescription medicine to prevent seizures. My understanding is that this is not uncommon in this particular breed. We have the prescription filled at major retail store which also has a pharmacy. The prescription is clearly labeled for “Peanut the Dog”. I can’t help but laugh when I see the warning labels on the side of the bottle. They include, “Do not drink alcoholic beverages while using this medicine” and, “Do not drive a vehicle or operate heavy equipment while using this medicine”. I realize that the law requires these labels on each bottle of medicine, but my dog doesn’t read. Some of you may have smarter dogs than mine, so that may not be a problem at your home. You will be happy to know that I take the time to read these warnings to Peanut. I have talked to him about the dangers of mixing alcohol and prescription medications. I quickly dismissed the idea of him driving, but the thought of him operating heavy equipment does have potential. If I could only teach him to mow the grass during summer, then he could have all the pills he wants. How do you react to warnings of danger? You may be the person who throws caution in the wind and presses on with absolutely no fear; you are invincible. Whatever their motive is, whether courage or stupidity, there are people who ignore the warning signs of danger. Sometimes they film themselves and end up being famous on the internet. On the other hand, there are those who live in fear. They take the warnings seriously and even take extra precautions to be safe. They never take a risk. I like to live a life of balance concerning danger.
I could write a book filled with stories of regret when I made willful decisions to ignore posted warning signs or labels. Whether it’s on the ski slope, behind the wheel of a car, or when trying to repair something mechanical or electric, I have made my share of dumb choices.
There are some who flippantly say, “Life doesn’t come with an instruction book”. I would respectably disagree with that statement. We have been provided the greatest instruction manual ever, The Holy Bible. It is a living book. Each and every word is inspired and true. The one who wrote the Bible is the very Creator and Sustainer of the universe; the Creator of all life. John, in the opening verse of his gospel, wrote, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”.
In this new year of 2010 we can put our trust in life’s instruction manual, the Bible. At the end of his sermon on the mount, Jesus summarized his teaching there by saying, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash”.
2010 could potentially be the best year ever if we read, learn, cherish, and obey God’s holy Word. Let’s go for it!
