Joni And Friends Daily Devotional 28 May 2024, Tuesday Message
TOPIC: Shortcuts
“The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.” – Proverbs 12:15
Who would be dumb enough to take a shortcut through a narrow train tunnel? Well, I was, and I did it more than once. As a kid, when I rode my horse as far as Marriottsville, I would have to take the trail up and around a small mountain—or I could ride my horse through the tunnel.
Shortcuts. Our Scripture for today tells us about such craziness. And I lived it out. It seemed right to me to look for a shortcut, and I failed to listen to the advice of the big yellow sign at the head of the tunnel. Although I never came face-to-face with the B & O Express, I do think that reckless spirit caught up with me when I dove into shallow water and broke my neck.
Yes, the way of a fool often seems right, and a shortcut makes such good sense to that same fool. But sooner or later it has a way of catching up with us. We may take shortcuts in our Bible study, responding to the questions with the first thing that comes to mind. We may take shortcuts in our prayers, skipping over the words of a daily devotional rather than pressing them into our hearts. Or we may even take shortcuts in serving others, lest that service require sacrifice. We believe we can arrive at righteousness through a series of convenient shortcuts.
The way of a shortcut seems right in the eyes of those who foolishly think they can get away with it. And get away with it they will—for a short while. But whom are they fooling? Is it God? Is it others? Perhaps only themselves. If you would be smart enough not to walk through a train tunnel, take Scripture’s advice. There’s no quick way to reach spiritual maturity.
PRAYER: Lord, when I’m tempted to take spiritual shortcuts, please remind me that the Israelites wandered in the wilderness because they needed to take the long way home.
Joni Eareckson Tada is an American evangelical Christian author, radio host, artist, and founder of Joni and Friends, an organization “accelerating Christian ministry in the disability community”.