"Life's Healing Choices" in American Sign LanguageSample

Deeper Faith? Shortcuts Are Shortsighted
By Rick Warren

“Listen carefully to my words. Don't lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep within your heart, for they bring life and radiant health to anyone who discovers their meaning.” (Proverbs 4:20b-22 NLT, second edition)

One of the pitfalls you may face as you fulfill your purpose in life is temptation to take shortcuts.

In truth, these shortcuts will only get you off track. The shortcuts may be moral, ethical, spiritual, financial, or even relational.

But they will distract you from what God wants you to do in your life, eventually wasting your time, energy, resources, and creativity.

Shortcuts are always shortsighted. God wants you to stop being “absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ — that's where the action is. See things from his perspective” (Colossians 3:2 MSG).

Talk It Over

How do you know when something is a shortcut?

What shortcuts have you tried to take in the past when working toward your goals?

How can shortcuts cause us to be disobedient to God?