Warning...Labels Ahead
I'm sure you've seen stories in years past about the Wacky Warning Label Contest sponsored annually by the Michigan Lawsuit Abuse Watch. The organization collects real-life warning labels that make no sense at all, usually included on products to try to avoid frivolous and ridiculous attempts at litigation. Of course, some of the warnings themselves are nothing short of ridiculous.
A winning entry a few years back was: "Shin pads cannot protect any part of the body they do not cover." Among the runners-up that year was this word of caution on a carpenter's router: "This product not intended for use as a dental drill."
Previous grand-prize winners included one attached to a household iron: "Never iron clothes while they are being worn," and one on a baby stroller advising buyers to "Remove child before folding." Other notable entries over the years include: "This product not intended for highway use" (a 13-inch wheelbarrow); "Do not use near fire, flame or sparks" (a fireplace lighter); and "May irritate eyes" (a self-defense pepper spray).
I think my favorite all-time stupid warning is the one that is often printed on the back of those auto windshield reflectors that you place on the dash board of your parked car to keep out the sunlight. "Remove from windshield before driving," says the label. You wonder if people should be loose on the streets operating a moving motor vehicle if they need that kind of warning!
As we've been going through our Life Group study of the Craig Groeschel book "Weird," lately, it's made me wonder if perhaps publishers shouldn't consider putting warning labels on the covers of Bibles. Something like, "Warning: The words in this book are true and relevant, and if applied, will radically affect your life." That is, if you really choose to live your life according to what God's word teaches, you're going to be very, very different than the world you're living in. Downright weird, even.
Of course, many people might never bother to buy a Bible if they were so-warned. They'd realize that the Lord just might expect them to move out of their comfort zones, and accept the call of Christ to take up our cross and follow Him.
The question for you today is, do you really believe God's word is true, that it is relevant, and that it has real-life answers for your every day life in the 21st century? If so, may I suggest you spend time every dayreading from Scripture and hearing what the Lord has to say to you. You just might be surprised how He radically affects your life--for the better--when you seek His will in His word.
I look forward to seeing each of you on Sunday at Shelby Crossings as we celebrate God's presence in worship and hear from His word. But be forewarned: He just might change your life!
--Pastor Ken
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