Cutting Corners

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Reflection 

I walked by this corner today at school after watching students and adults cut the corner by stepping into the once “grassy” area. This shortcut likely saved 3-5 steps, depending on the length of one’s stride. I chuckled to myself at the seemingly small time savings with this diagonal choice. It reminded me of a story I had heard about a landscape architect who delayed placing sidewalks in a project. Instead, he allowed the well-worn paths (in diagonal patterns) to determine the location of sidewalks. The rest of the day, I continued to watch small and large corners cut, human nature in full display in brown patches. 

Application

Our propensity to take the easiest route can show up in other areas of our lives if we aren’t careful. For example, we may say that we want to save money, but we choose to spend capriciously. Or, we claim to want to drop extra pounds, but we munch on Christmas cookies and delay the commitment till the New Year. We assert our desire to grow closer to the Lord, but cut short our time in the Word or in prayer, hoping a few passages or a few words uttered do the job. Scripture gives us insight into the longview of spiritual habits.

Colossians 4:2, “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

Psalm 119:130 “The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.”

Closing/conclusion

Devotion and the unfolding of God’s Word take time and intentionality. Cutting corners results in checking a box and potentially developing a pattern of choosing a “faster route” that is brown and worn.  A vital, growing relationship with the Lord doesn’t just happen. It requires a willingness to persevere, remaining watchful and thankful. It means waiting on Him to enlighten Scripture and to impart understanding. Perhaps, the next time you are outside and see a well-worn path near the sidewalk, you will be reminded that our spiritual walk doesn’t benefit from cutting corners.

Maryellen