Shortcuts

Women of Faith:

Are we in a “shortcut” society? We have microwaves and tweets; fast food restaurants and text messaging and email. Out of favor are walks around the block, a handwritten letter delivered by the postal service or a meal cooked in the oven and eaten around the family kitchen table.

We are looking for instant food, easy exercise, instant messaging and instant gratification. We pray and expect an immediate answer. Time is measured in minutes and seconds instead of hours and days and it can’t take more than 140 characters to get our message across. We want to hit the “easy” button.

And we wonder why are children (and ourselves) can be so demanding and have so little patience to endure difficult circumstances, or even to look for, wait, or see the simple pleasures or treasures of life.

“Jesus said: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.” Jn 10:1-10

So what actions do I take that make me like the thief and the robber; someone who jumps the fence before I get to the gate, shortcutting God’s plan and yet hoping to receive all of God’s promises and graces? Do I believe I can “shortcut” my path to heaven?

Do I think I will get to heaven just because I say I believe in God? Have I done just what I think is “enough.” Or do I continually strive to try to do more to honor Him, to serve Him, and to love Him? Am I feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, visiting the sick and imprisoned. (Mt 25:34-46) Am I caring for the widows and children? Do I love my spouse “completely,” without seeking repayment, reward, and “instant” happiness?

There is no “shortcut” to God. The bible gives us instructions to live our lives, our marriages, (Eph 5:21-33) to serve each other and to be His shepherds by leading others to Him. God promises us eternal life, but he doesn’t promise us that this life will be easy.

It takes patience, it takes enduring the hardships and the sufferings of life. Happiness can’t be turned to lasting joy by shortcutting God’s plans for my life.

Just because all I want to do is “believe,” doesn’t mean I will “automatically” be rewarded his grace—I can’t take the easy way out, I can’t take shortcuts, I can’t just do what I want and still expect to receive God’s reward. I have to “do” God’s instructions. He didn’t die on the cross to make salvation “easy”, he died to make salvation possible.

God wants us to believe in Him and then live like believers —Serve! Give! Lead!
Love! Give me everything you have—your service, your gifts, your leadership, your love.

Bring me your life as I brought you mine. Give me your gifts (time, money and talents)(Mt 25:14-30) so that I can “multiply” them and give them back to you.

Love each other as you wish to be loved.

Be a shepherd by bringing others into the flock. Don’t take shortcuts, don’t take the easy way—come thru the gate, it is always wide open.

So, if you are tempted to tweet a shortcut, pass on or read Holy Scripture today, this is the path to the verses in bold  http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/index.shtml

Heavenly Father: Praise be your “instruction book”- the Bible. Help me to have wisdom and patience in understanding your messages. Hel p me to seek your full truth, not taking shortcuts just because I think I can get to You faster, or because it is easier. Thank you for Your patience in guiding me. Help me to remember that Your love is patient and does not seek its own interests by taking a shortcut. Amen.
Blessings,
Charlotte