NEVER LOOKING FOR THE SHORTCUTS
by Dudley Anderson

"Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths" (Psalm 25:4 N.I.V)

From my bedroom window I could see the police car parked out of sight, waiting in ambush for the unsuspecting motorist to skip the stop sign. A short one-way served as an access to our suburban street from the main carriageway a block away. It was the only way into the suburb at that point. If a driver took this access unintentionally he'd need to make a long winding detour to return to the carriageway. As I watched, a car came down the one-way and, not stopping at the stop sign, made an illegal U-turn and fled the wrong way back up the one-way. "You're nicked!" I said out loud as the cop car's blue lights flashed and sirens wailed.

In my walk with God I have discovered that if I acknowledge God in all my ways then he will always direct me on his path. This implies prayerfully seeking and confessing the Lord in every decision I make every turn, every stop and every U-turn. I have discovered that, if I do this, I will inevitably wind up on the right road. However, there are the times when, although I've acknowledged God, I make a hasty wrong decision and end up turning off his pathway at that point in my life. However, because I have acknowledged God, he graciously leads me back to where he intended me to be, albeit the long way round. You see, dear God-tracker, if you go off-track there are no shortcuts back to God's path.

If you find today that you have made choices outside of God's will; or if you have not acknowledged God in a decision and find that you're off his track for your life then don't take another step without committing your ways to God. It could also be that you have acknowledged God in a recent decision but have attempted to take a short cut to his purpose. If that's you then don't try and force your way back to where you left the road. Seek God's word and allow it to illuminate your path forward. Then follow God's "diversion" signs until you come back to where you left your life's track. You may even be astounded at the scenic view along your detour.

"God judges a man not by the point he has reached, but by the way he is facing; not by distance, but by direction." --- James Stewart

Pray:
"Dear Lord I have always acknowledged you in all my decisions, but yet, I still find myself on a detour. Please forgive me for any selfish choices I've made or for taking a short cut to your will. I confess now that you are my Lord and that I re-acknowledge you in every aspect of my life. Open your word to me and guide me by your Holy Spirit to find my way back to the road you have planned for me. I believe that, because I have acknowledged you in all I do, you will help me find my way back to your plan for my life. Amen."


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