The Power of Shortcuts

Do you remember the first time you created a shortcut on your computer desktop? You found the freedom to bypass the entire process of finding and opening the program. What took 4 or 5 clicks now only takes one. Or discovering the route you took to work for years was much longer than it should be. 1 or 2 different turns cut your drive time in half. These are constructive shortcuts. They save you time. They help you become more efficient.

Another group of shortcuts taken are not as good. These are destructive shortcuts and pack a devastating punch behind them.

Numerous times throughout my life I was told of my great potential. At first this sounded complimentary. Eventually I realized that potential is unrealized results. My full potential would never be reached because I was always looking for the easy way; the shortcut to success.

It does not exist.

Matthew 7:13-14 states don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don't fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God! —Is vigorous and requires total attention.

Success in any area takes hard work and time. We can trim time by learning from others, but we’ll have to go through the process internally to reach our full potential. A great example is planting a garden. Simply putting seeds in the ground is not enough. We have to provide nutrients and allow time for the seeds to germinate and grow. The shortcut is the proper care along the way. This hold true for us as well. See Galatians 6:7-10.

Here are three areas where shortcuts will wreak havoc.

1. Relationships- building solid, positive relationships takes time. We can’t rush them. Our goal is to shoot for effectiveness in our relationships. To be effective requires our commitment to learn and understand what motivates others. Before we discover these, trust must be established. It can take a long time to establish trust, but only a few seconds to destroy.

2. Leadership- this title is earned not taken. Simply reading books on leadership does not make a leader. We have to work the techniques into our life and give them time to germinate. Leaders gain followers by doing the right things. Leadership takes time to develop.

3. Financially- trying to get rich quickly. We cannot continue to chase the “Hot” stocks and expect great returns. Our money needs time to grow and losses are tough to overcome. Playing the lottery and excessive gambling take their toll as well. Financial pressures force us to take shortcuts, which usually lead to disaster.

Can you think of other areas where shortcuts wreak havoc? Are you prone to take shortcuts in a specific area of your life?