SHORTCUT TO YOUR DESTINY

The scent of pine rode upon the cool breezes that gently whistled through the towering trees that seemed to touch the royal blue sky.  The brilliant summer sun shone into the thick green forest below like light beams from heaven to light the path.  The pure, clear air at the 7500-foot elevation made it a pleasant experience to take deep breaths.  Along with temperatures in the low 70’s, these conditions were perfect to go on a hike.  So much so that my wife and I decided to walk the trail instead of waiting for the shuttle bus to see a wonder of Nature in the Mammoth Mountains.

Since her parents managed a campground every summer near Mammoth Lakes, she was familiar with the tourist attractions, sights to see, and surrounding trails.  She was happy to show me a unique natural phenomenon that I had never seen before.  She was also really excited to take me on a “shortcut” to get there.  You probably know where this is going.  You are right.  What should have taken us 15 to 20 minutes took us well over an hour.  We were so busy enjoying Nature and each other’s company that we missed the seldom used trail.  By the time we finally arrived at our destination, ironically called Devil’s Postpile; my excitement had somewhat diminished.  I will admit that it was impressive, gazing up at the rare geologic formation of 60-foot-tall hexagonal columns,

but after a few minutes of admiring the view and taking pictures, we were so ready and willing to take the shuttle bus back. Although this hike was more than twenty-five years ago, we still laugh about the valuable lesson well learned about taking a “shortcut”.     

You probably have your own story of trying to take a shortcut that took longer than it should.  You are not alone.  Psychologists tell us it is deeply rooted in your human behavior to want to get to a destination faster.  However, they say that while the desire for efficiency is natural, there is a flawed tendency to miscalculate the time savings and the reason for change of direction.  There also tends to be “psychological torment” from the second-guessing of your choices.  (Like changing lines at the grocery store or at Costco for a shorter one, only to watch your original line speed up).        

The word “shortcut” is not in the Bible, but God’s Word warns about trying to take an easier way to get quick success.  Shortcuts will only get you into trouble instead of trusting God and getting a rich reward (Proverbs 28:20 NLT).  The easier way might make sense in the natural, but it will often lead you away from godly wisdom and into the wrong direction.  Satan will use this, your impatience, and your own human behavior to tempt you to take the easy way to power, provision, and glory.  In Matthew 4:1-11, Satan offered Jesus these same shortcuts, but like Jesus, you too can choose God’s way.

Rather than choosing the easy way, know that you are called to walk the narrow path (Matthew 7:13-14) by trusting God’s timing, methods, and purposes.  God’s way might not be the easiest or the most popular one, but it is always the best way for you. 

Trusting God is the first key to knowing His way that He destined for you.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT).  This is the very path that God has planned for you to walk in to reach your divine destiny.  Here's what Yahweh says to you: I know all about the marvelous destiny I have in store for you, a future planned out in detail.  My intention is not to harm you but to surround you with peace and prosperity and to give you a beautiful future, glistening with hope. (Jeremiah 29:11 TPT).

The second key is to wholeheartedly commit and trust your plans, thoughts and actions to the Lord.  He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and so shall your plans be established and succeed (Proverbs 16:3 AMPC).  When you commit your way to the Lord entrusting everything to Him, He will bring to pass and do what you cannot (Psalm 37:5).

God’s plans are your destiny.  Your plans are your reality.

When your plans line up with God’s plans,

that is when your destiny becomes your reality.

 Dennis Harworth

Your destiny is planned by God to live a life of peace, prosperity, and success.  It is your choice to totally trust and completely commit your way to the Lord rather than looking for the easier path.  The easy way might look more appealing to a seemingly longer path, but in my experience, like the hike in Mammoth, “shortcuts” take longer than you’re willing to take and cost you more than you are willing to pay.  Therefore, realize that your way to get quick success will take longer than God’s plan for you.  So, by enduring the waiting process and following God’s way, you’re actually taking a SHORTCUT TO YOUR DESTINY.