Do you do what is right or what is easy?

devotionalwidget.jpgI would say for the biggest portion of my life, through the age of 30, I have always been an individual who has done just enough to get by.  I was always cutting corners and looking for the path of least resistance.  Some of you may know exactly what I am talking about, but for some maybe not.  Starting back even in middle and high school I was satisfied with a B or C in a class.  I could have easily worked a little bit and received a higher grade, but my motto was to exert as little effort as possible to get by and keep mom and dad from killing me.  You become what you practice, so this same lackadaisical attitude started to follow me into all areas of my life, sports, college, relationships, worship for God and prayer.  I once heard Suze Orman say, “Do what is right, not what is easy”.  Of course, she was talking in a financial context, but it struck me as a very compelling statement. 

As I reflected on her comment, I started thinking about that comment and examining other areas of my life. How often do I do what is easy versus what is right? The truth that I had to finally realize is, I fall into that category quite often. Those same early childhood habits have now been transported into my adult life and more importantly into my spiritual life. For lack of better terms, you can call it being “spiritually lazy”. Doing what is right certainly takes more effort, work, and time, and usually has more risk associated with it. On the other hand, doing what is right also has the potential to have a higher payoff or reward. I wonder how many times in my life God could have used me in a bigger way, but I chose to take the path of least resistance versus doing what was right.

Doing what is right versus easy in my walk with God can be tough. Sometimes that means having a difficult conversation with someone and having to hold them accountable for their actions. Other times that is me having to go back and apologize and humble myself for actions I did. Choosing the right path is usually in alignment with being obedient to God. And being obedient to God is a sign of spiritual maturity. Spiritual maturity is not the amount of time you have been a believer. Spiritual maturity is knowing what God wants you to do and doing it. Basically, I am learning that you can not cut corners in your walk with God. There are no paths of least resistance. You have to learn what God wants you to learn, right where you are presently, before He will move you to the next task He has in store for you.

September 12, 2011 · Filed Under Devotionals, Misc

Comments

2 Responses to “Do you do what is right or what is easy?”

  1. Nate on June 30th, 2008 12:36 am

    We are the hands and feet of God to a empty world. That is a HUGE responsibility!

    “let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven”

    On a side note, God has laid this on my heart:
    If your spiritual growth is stagnant, it might be a good ideal to look back and make sure you didn’t miss a “step” in the process. Sometimes backtracking is the right direction. Like a piece of furniture has directions and steps to follow for assembly, so does our spiritual walk have steps. It is easy to get off course, but God is faithful!
    Jeremiah 30:12-17 -God will repay us according to our actions, But after we have reaped what we sowed, God brings restoration!

  2. Ben on June 30th, 2008 4:09 pm

    Thanks for this blog. It was a great read and a great message.

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