Character in Life
Deuteronomy 5:32-33
If you have been watching the evolution of modern life in the past decade you probably have observed our society moving from a “desire for depth” to being “satisfied with some”. Let me explain my thinking here.
When I was launching an innovative tangible news media platform (Metro News) in 2007 our whole premise was based on providing readers with “small bites” of news rather than long expositional stories full of details. Our average news story was about 300 words and not more than 500. We produced a daily newspaper that could be read from cover to cover in less than 30 minutes while providing enough information so the reader would feel somewhat informed. We did this because that’s where the market was leading us. Our readers were “satisfied with some” news and did not care to receive a lot of details.
Over the past couple of decades this type of thinking has invaded many parts of our lives. For example, we have recently added a new meaning to the word “hack” in our vocabulary. Today, the word represents a quick fix to help solve a common problem. Hacks are meant to describe a shortcut to the way things have normally been done. From kitchen basics (cooking) to cleaning, these hacks are intended to save us time and effort.
I fear we have become accustomed, and perhaps too accepting, of shortcuts (hacks) and have started to add them to other more complex areas of our lives because we think it might just be easier.
Consider this…how effective would your workouts be if you always took shortcuts? What would happen to your marriage and/or other relationships if you decided to apply hacks to them all the time? What would your business eventually become if you constantly chose the easy way through your challenges? What type of leader would you be if you never thought deeply and critically? You get the point.
Q: In what areas of your life have you previously taken shortcuts and experienced poor results or diminished returns? (We all have examples here!)
In today’s scripture passage we read how Moses told the people to “be careful to do what the LORD your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Walk in obedience to all that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.” (NIV)
I think Moses probably wrote this because the Israelites were looking for shortcuts. It makes sense that they would be after wandering in the desert for so long. Perhaps Moses had to remind them that following God doesn’t allow for shortcuts and hacks. He exhorted them to be careful and do all that HE (God) has commanded them to do. The result? God would lead them into the land HE had selected for them to occupy.
When we consider this scripture and apply it to our personal life, I wonder if we sometimes see a lack of quick progress or rapid success and think, “there must be an easier way to do this and get there faster.” The marketplace moves at a rapid pace and seeks QUANTITY over QUALITY. The world simply wants more faster. Yet we know that our personal and professional value increases when we take time to build (or provide) quality by not taking shortcuts, staying the course, and not deviating to the right or left.
As a Corpath member, you know that building a life of quality takes time as you seek to live in a way that is committed to following Christ, promotes quality and high value, and desires to share it with others. You know (and believe) that God is leading you to a land HE has chosen for you to possess, but it’s not always easy.
Q: When, in your recent past, have you experienced the reward for taking the long approach rather than deviating to the shortcut or using a hack?
Think about this excerpt from corpath.ca on this topic:
The demands of business can sometimes be so all consuming that it can lead to imbalance and a deterioration of an individual’s personal and family life. This imbalance can lead to health issues if exercise, vacation time and personal care are sacrificed due to the mistaken belief that "next year things will slow down". If your personal/family relationship gauge is trending toward the red zone because of your efforts to "grow the business", you may eventually be celebrated as a success in the business arena, but it could come at great cost of failing to maintain your most important relationships. The Corpath Forum process provides accountability and encouragement to maintain the health of the individual’s personal life, and family relationships with spouse, children, and loved ones.
There are no hacks to pursuing excellence in life. It takes commitment, time, and effort…and support from your forum.
Q: What two or three things will you do this week to refrain from using hacks (taking shortcuts) as you choose to build your character? Who can you ask to help you be accountable for this?
Prayer:
My God and Father, thank you for taking the time to speak with me today. I confess that I have, at times, looked for shortcuts in my faith journey. Whether walking beside still waters (good times) or in the valley of shadows (challenging times) please remind me that you are always there to guide me and encourage me to “stay the course” and not deviate in any way. There are no hacks to following you and building a life of good character. I ask that you guide me this week. Amen.
Blessings always and all-ways,
Steve Shrout
President
Special Note:
If you enjoyed today’s message, then share it with someone. Also, use this content and questions as a discussion guide in your next forum meeting.
Attached is a printable PDF you can use to help with your meditation and reflection. I encourage you to print it, answer the questions and then keep it in a Corpath binder or folder for future reference and thought. You will receive a new PDF each week with each new Monday Meditation and, over time, your binder will become a book representing your own Corpath journey of BUSINESS thoughts, personal LIFE development and SPIRITUAL growth.
