Taking shortcuts. The easy way. The way around God's plan. Have you taken a shortcut and ended up back at square one? Of course you have, if we are all being honest, I bet we all have.
Our Sunday sermon last week was over taking shortcuts in our lives. The plan that God is not directly laying out for us. Is God telling you that you need to do something but you are questioning His way? Are you tempting an easy way? How do you see the tasks set out for you by God? Do you see them as simple "to-do" items to add to your list and cross off when completed? Or, do you see them as opportunities?
Monday's daily devotional stated that viewing tasks as opportunities to get in on His work in a way that blesses others the most. The way that improves our testimony with a coworker or a stranger or our spouse. The way that brings Glory to Him. As believers we should trust in Him. Spread His word and take on every tasks assigned by Him as a way to glorify him. God didn't take shortcuts when creating us. Why do we take shortcuts on the assignments given to us by Him?
Today we seem to be in a hurry, to do everything, faster. Crossing off our checklist before actually taking time to fully complete the task. I strongly believe that my calling in life set out for me by God is to work at St. Jude's in Memphis, TN. So why have I not done this yet. Why have I not completed this task? Fear. Fear of not being able to "make it" in another state. Fear of leaving my parents. Fear of taking Jacob to another state away from my parents, and his way of normal. Fear of failure. Fear of being unhappy. However, as a believer I should not fear. I should trust in Him. I can "make it" with Him, my parents would be thrilled that I fulfilled my dreams while sad that I would be moving so far away, how could I fail at something I strongly feel God is calling me to do? I couldn't be unhappy doing what He wants me to do? I have taken the shortcut for many years. Trying to find something close to home to feel that void. Something close to my parents. Something, not my dream. In the end the shortcut has caused me many years of wasted time. Time I can't get back. What can I do now? I have created this realm of busy for my life that keeps my mind off of that. That keeps me going while dragging me down at the same time. How do I overcome this feeling? How do I overcome this shortcut?
When you seem so busy that the joy of life is missing, remind yourself that He is with you. Every step. Every task. Every knot in your stomach. Every missed minute of sleep. Don't settle for the shortcut. Work diligently, give to others, and live joyfully, in the midst of your busy schedule. Life your life in the details, but laser your focus on the cross. This is how!
Speaking of fear, on Tuesday I read these words for our daily devotional: "How often do we fear men more than we have faith in God?" Whoa! In our money driven, everything is better faster, "stuff" needy, I am better driven society I think we find ourselves searching to make an even greater name for ourselves. Standing out above our friends, co-workers, even other Christians. The temptation to preserve our name at all costs lingers in front of our faces every day. Fearing what judgments come of those around us when we don't have the newest, coolest stuff, or more money than that guy, or the faster car, the nicer home; that is fear of man. What if you put that much effort into pleasing God? What if you feared God a little more? Would you strive to be the millionaire that he hasn't set out for you to be? Would you need all of that "stuff"? God is enough right?
What does it [fear] look like in this present day? The fear of disapproval. The fear of a dirtied reputation. The fear of being perceived as a "loser" or "failure". The fear of embarrassment. The fear of rejection. The list goes on and on.
I would agree that it is only human nature to strive to be the best at what you do and what makes you happy, but if you aren't fulfilling God's plan are you really the best? Are you really happy? "There will be times in your life you're going to run into a crossroads and you're going to be tempted to take the shortcut. Or you'll find yourself staring at the courtroom of human opinion weighting the verdict of the fear of man versus the heart of a faithful believer. Will you seek the fleeting pleasures of this world's empty promises?"
If you are feeling empty perhaps your life is full of these empty worldly promises. Seek God's will and take the road of His plan versus the road of shortcuts. Living a fulfilled life does not mean to live a life full of money and material possessions. It simply means to trust in your God for He is enough and He is the only true promise.
"If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8)
*To clarify all italic type comes directly from scripture or the daily devotional provided by leaders in our church.*
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