No Shortcuts

“Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.”
Proverbs 21:5, NLT

Everyone enjoys a good shortcut, especially when running late. While shortcuts take us where we need to be faster, they can sometimes do more harm than good. Is a route worth taking if the road is rugged or has too many twists and turns? You risk having a car accident that can delay your arrival or prevent it altogether. Sometimes you are better off taking the established route.

Similarly, there are shortcuts that you can take in life to help you achieve your goals more quickly. Some are efficient, but others compromise your integrity. Christian women must accept God’s established route for our lives even if it takes longer than we desire. Our work should be pleasing to God because He will judge it. Read 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 with me:

“If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.” (New International Version)

There are consequences to taking bad shortcuts. It is easy to copy another person’s assignment. However, will you pass when it is time to take an exam? While buying cheap materials for your business costs less, will customers appreciate a faulty product? It is convenient to slack off at your current job, but will you receive a good referral for the next one? These shortcuts bring short-term success but long-term failure.

Taking God’s established route for our lives is a rewarding process. He uses the additional time to build our faith in Him, develop our character, and make us effective in using the gifts He has given us. Romans 5:3-5 notes:

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us—they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady. Then, when that happens, we are able to hold our heads high no matter what happens and know that all is well, for we know how dearly God loves us, and we feel this warm love everywhere within us because God has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” (The Living Bible)

We are Jesus’ representatives here on earth (2 Corinthians 5:20). Everything we do should reflect Him. God is revealed as excellent when we work diligently to create excellent work. Overcome the temptation to take shortcuts by focusing less on attaining the goal and more on the in-between process. Choose the route which leads to God receiving the most glory.

Join my in prayer: Lord, thank you for making me Christ’s ambassador. Help me to live a life that reflects Him. Deliver me from the temptation to take shortcuts that compromise my integrity. Please help me to choose the route that glorifies You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

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