Unsuccessful Shortcuts

A few days ago, I left a friend’s house in a part of town with which I was not familiar to go to a doctor appointment. I was already late and didn’t have cell service to look up directions so I tried to take what I thought would be a short cut to save time. Unfortunately, those short cuts ended up being dead ends. Instead of getting there earlier, they wasted my time and I was even later than I would have been. Moral of the story, look up directions instead of winging it… So how does this apply to spiritual life?

 

I love analogies and finding “hidden meaning” in everyday life. My adventure with short cuts is no exception and there are a few applications to be learned.

 

Proverbs 3:5-6 New American Standard Bible

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.

 

First, ask for directions. This is even more important in the spiritual life than it is when driving a car. So often in life we want to do things on our own. We want to go our own way, or we think that we know how to get there, so we don’t bother asking God to guide us. Yet, even when we think we know where to go or how to get there, we still need to seek God’s guidance and wisdom. He never intended for us to do it on our own. We were made to be dependant on Him alone. The idea that “God helps those who help themselves” is not biblical at all. God helps those who trust in Him, who seek Him and His wisdom, guidance and help.

 

2 Chronicles 33:12 New American Standard Bible

When he was in distress, he appeased the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers.

Isaiah 50:10 New American Standard Bible

Who is among you who fears the Lord,
Who obeys the voice of His servant,
Who walks in darkness and has no light?
Let him trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.

James 4:6 New American Standard Bible

But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

 

Second, rely on God. This may seem the same as the first, but there is a difference. Not only should we ask God for directions and guidance, but we need to acknowledge that we need His help. It sometimes happens that we know the way God wants us to go or what He would have us do, but we think we know better or a faster way to get there. The truth is we don’t. Maybe, based on what we can see our way is better, but our vision is limited. We can’t see or know everything, but God does. We need to be humble before God so that we can have His help. All we will get on our own is frustration and dead ends.

Isaiah 26:3 New American Standard Bible

The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace,
Because he trusts in You.

Isaiah 42:16 New American Standard Bible

I will lead those who are blind by a way they have not known,
In paths they have not known I will guide them.
I will turn darkness into light before them
And uneven land into plains.
These are the things I will do,
And I will not leave them undone.

 

Third, stay calm. Often, our first response when things don’t go the way they are supposed to is to panic, fight or flight mode. However, the best thing we can do in the moment is to pause and pray. Often, that act of humility and submission will lead to direction, but if we refuse to humble ourselves, to seek God’s counsel, we will continue to lead ourselves astray in increasing stress and frustration. We need to humbly admit our need for God, seek His help and follow His direction.

 

Have you turned down the wrong road? Are you lost and unsure? Are you trying to find the way on your own? Humble yourself before the Lord. Admit that you need His help and guidance. Seek it and follow His direction.

I'm sorry that my writing has been so sporadic, I've had a hard time getting back into it.