Shortcuts

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

Words of Jesus, John 14:6

Man is always looking for shortcuts.

Math teaches us that the shortest distance between Point A and Point B is a straight line, so how come we think detours will get us some place faster?

Our GPS often takes us off the Highway for a more Scenic Route expecting an earlier arrival.

Popping something in the microwave provides a meal in a minute and thirty seconds, instead of an hour in the oven.

Drive-Thru allows us to eat in the car on the way home; why set a table and wash dishes when you don't have to, right?

Last Sunday I over-slept.  I didn't intend to, but I did, and it just so happened that we had an early choir practice that morning.  My mind immediately opted for shortcuts.  What could I cut out of my morning routine to get me to church on time?

I will be honest, I did not skip my morning devotion, but I did find my prayer to my heavenly Father shorter, and instead of reading an entire Chapter in His Word, I only read a few verses.

Shame on me.

Why does it seem our Saviour gets cheated by our shortcuts?

If we aren't careful, our shortcuts not only cheat our Saviour, but they cheat us as well.

I couldn't help but think of the Children of Israel on their journey to the Promised Land.  It could have been an easy trek, after all they were being led by a Cloud by day and a Pillar of Fire by night.  However, their murmuring and complaining led them on a Scenic Route in the wilderness for 40 years.

Has my straight path been detoured because of my murmuring and complaining?  Have I delayed my arrival for blessings because of ungratefulness?

What about a 'works' shortcut?  Friend, are you placing your faith in your works to get you to heaven?

"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth to life, and few there be that find it."  Words of Jesus, Matthew 7:13-14

There are a lot of shortcuts...

     but shortcuts are not always what is best...

        there is only One Direct Way to Salvation, and that is Jesus Christ..

            But that's just me!

"Christ was never in a hurry.  There was no rushing forward, no anticipating, no fretting over what might be.  Each day's duties were done as each day brought them, and the rest was left with God."

-Mary Slessor

"God does not give us everything we want, but He does fulfill His promises, leading us along the best and straightest paths to Himself."  -Dietrich Bonhoeffer

"We must remember that the shortest distance between our problems and their solutions is the distance between our knees and the floor." -Charles Stanley