Stepping Stones: Cutting In Line Again?

Transformational Tip

Yesterday I was standing in line at the omelet making station of a nice restaurant serving brunch…there were 4 or 5 people ahead on me in line. This well-dressed, middle-age man with his teenage son walked in front of the line in an attempted to place their omelet orders. The chef making the omelets gently told the man there was a line.

As the man stepped back, I assumed he was just making an honest mistake, so I jokingly asked; “Were you trying to cut in line?” His response surprised… and saddened me. He said; “Absolutely…if you’re not cheating, you’re not trying.”

It’s a hard one to measure, but it sure feels like our society is increasingly turning to short-cuts and cheating to get what they want. And here, the guy in the omelet line was not only attempting to cheat…but he even adapted a slogan to glorify it. What is he teaching his young son?

Then I realized how often “I cut in line” in my day. Sleeping in…taking that extra meatball or cookie…not confronting a situation that needs it…procrastinating a less desirable task or project…judging someone before all the evidence is in…doing a task halfway…leaving that wrapper behind the garbage for someone else to pick up. And these all happened before lunch! I am too embarrassed to tell you my major “short-cuts.”

Unbelievable what we are willing to do to avoid a little discomfort…then rationalize it so we believe it is self-protective, when actually, it is self-destructive. Harmful to our brain chemistry, our personality and psychological skill set development, and spiritual walk in developing the Mind of Christ. You see, these short-cuts don’t renew the mind, they undermine, weaken, and pollute the mind.

Today, examine your behavior and actions regarding short-cuts and cheating. Be mindful that even minor infractions eventually trend toward major infractions. Whereas, minor character building actions truly renew your mind for you to become powerful lighthouses of character. As always, the choice is yours…don’t harm yourself.
Click here to share your perspective about short-cuts and cheating.

Prayer
Dear Father God, I confess that I have been guilty of cheating…in small and in big ways. I ask Your forgiveness Father. I know You have protected me from many consequences of my shortcuts…thank You for Your amazing grace. I pray that You fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that He may guide me to the “right-way”…in “Your way” in all that I do. Help me not to be deceived into believing the shortcuts are beneficial to me. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One who always avoided shortcuts and had ultimate integrity and character, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!

The Truth
Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.
Luke 16:10

The righteous detest the dishonest; the wicked detest the upright.
Proverbs 29:27