Stepping Stones: Shortcuts: Better Think Twice

May 2, 2012

Shortcuts: Better Think Twice

Transformational Thought

On a recent business trip, I was standing in line at the omelet station of a nice restaurant serving brunch. Four or 5 people were ahead on me in line. Then a well dressed, middle-age man and his teenage son walked to the front of the line to place their orders. A couple of us gave him “The Look.” You know, the “you did something wrong, but I don’t want to be verbal and embarrass you or bring more attention to you.” The man seemed oblivious. Just before an older woman was ready to blow, the chef 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 saddened me as he bragged in front of his son, “Absolutely … if you’re not cheating, you’re not trying.”

It’s hard to measure, but it sure feels like our society is increasingly turning to shortcuts, and even cheating, to get what we want. And the guy in the omelet line was not only attempting to cheat … he even adopted a slogan to glorify it. If this is what he does in public, he must be even worse when no one is looking. He has no accountability is in place to contain his behavior. What is he teaching his young son?

Then I realized how often “I cut in line” during the day. Sleeping in … taking that extra doughnut or cookie … not confronting a situation that needs it … procrastinating on a less desirable project … judging someone before all the evidence is in … doing a task halfway … leaving a 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” … otherwise known as bad habits, addictions, and dysfunctional patterns. These are the shortcuts I take away from God’s plan … how I cheat in life.

It’s unbelievable what we are willing to do to avoid a little discomfort. Then we rationalize that it’s self-protective, when actually, it is incredibly self-destructive. Our shortcuts harm our brain circuitry, our personality and psychological skill maturation. They are especially harmful to our spiritual walk: developing the Mind of Christ. You see, these shortcuts don’t renew the mind, They undermine, weaken, deceive, and brainwash our mind.

Today, examine your behaviors and actions. Are you taking shortcuts … or cheating? Why? Does it feeling “good” or avoid some discomfort worth sacrificing? When you cheat, you are actually cheating yourself. Even worse, you are cheating God out of the best you can offer. Sort of like Cain. Be mindful that even minor infractions eventually trend toward major violations. Conversely, small character- building actions truly renew your mind so you become a powerful lighthouse of good character. As always, the decision is yours … don’t harm yourself by choosing shortcuts, choose well.

Prayer

O God, I confess that I have been guilty of cheating … in small ways and in big ones. I ask for Your forgiveness, Father. I know You have protected me from the 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” … into “Your way” in all that I do. Help me to recognize that shortcuts are not beneficial to me. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One who always avoided shortcuts with 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