SHORTCUTS

SHORT CUTS :

Everybody loves their shortcuts…

As a child, there was always the race. And as races go, it is about who can get there first. The alleyways may seem the shortcut. However, at the expense of a much rougher and weedy way. It’s the alleyway that is unkempt, and grown over with the chigger, tick infested and often thorny way. But the price of getting there first seemed to be to enticing to pass up.

It doesn’t always have to be a race for who can get there first. There are many other things that we compromise, that also have to do with the taking of a shortcut. The choice of it working as it should without the greater cost for quality and the question, of how long will it last? We all have heard the saying, “you get what you pay for.”  Yet, sure enough to save a buck or two, it is a decision that is made to save and thus take the ever-tempting shortcut.

Life is full of shortcuts to those who wish to take them. But the question is almost never asked; at what peril? Or at what cost? There will always be the temptation of the easier way. There will always be our own inspection of others to our possible downfall. Is that not what the Psalm of Asaph mentions.

·        Ps 73:2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.

3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.    KJV

They were wicked and they by Asaph’s much inspection have arrived at a blessed place, places of prosperity, places of favor, and positions of honor. Yet, Asaph's reaction was that he became envious because the foolishness of the wicked seemed to arrive to the esteemed places of greatness and success. And the conclusion of Asaph was, I almost slipped. Asaph is saying, “I too almost said, what’s the use of hard work, long hours, and calloused hands, and a sore back?”  Asaph seems to be looking to compromise patience and hard work for the alluring way of the shortcut.

We see this in many places within the word of GOD… There is a time in the garden when Jesus at first said to his disciples. Tarry here and watch with me… We know the story they fell asleep. He came to them again and there again they were asleep… His question was. What, could you not watch with me one hour? Note the prayers of Jesus, HE didn’t stop, HE never quit.

Matt 26:42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.    KJV

He went even a third time and prayed the same words. However, it’s wonderful to know that while the disciples were ok with the shortcut in not praying Jesus never stopped for the shortcut.

The temptation of the shortcut is at every turn.

·        You can get by with doing it this way.

·        You don’t have to walk that way.

·        There are easier ways.

·        There is no difference between us. So, says the tempter.

Jesus was tempted. So, it is we see as HE faced the temptation of the shortcut.

1)     Turn theses stones to bread.

2)     Throw yourself down, if you be the son of GOD then the angels shall catch you can bare you up.

3)     Then the third time the devil takes him up to an exceeding high mountain to tempt HIM with the riches of the kingdoms of this world

All these Jesus is destined to possess anyway. Yet, the devil tempts HIM to make HIS way to the bread, the angels, and the kingdoms of this world by the way of the shortcut.

There is always peril and price for the way of the shortcut.

No way that you and I can avoid the way of the cross, but the sad truth is many have run aground short of GOD’S designed and expected end because of the way of the shortcut.

There have and always will be those who have walked many a mile in what they thought would be a shortcut. Seemingly to avoid the way of the cross, but only to feel the painful reminder of blistered feet, parched thirst, and a broken heart. I SHOULD HAVE CHOSEN THE WAY OF THE CROSS…

John 10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.     KJV

DON’T GIVE ME THE SHORTCUT, BUT GIVE ME THE WAY OF THE CROSS. IF IT SEEMETH HARD AND ROUGH ALONG THE WAY? IT IS GOOD FOR ME, BECAUSE MY FAITH IS DESIGNED TO HANDLE THE WAYS AND DEMANDS OF A LIFE FULL OF PRESSURES TO TAKE THE SHORTCUT…

I like that old song… THE RACE...

THOUGH ROUGH THE ROAD;

THOUGH STEEP THE CLIMB,

STILL I’M GOING RIGHT ON…

DON’T GIVE ME THE SHORTCUT; BUT GIVE ME THE HARD WAY… GIVE ME THE THORN; BECAUSE ITS THERE I KNOW THAT I LEARN HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR ME…