This month we are teaching English in what would look like a traditional school setting and as well as in a few villages. It is admittedly hard at times. You want to make sure that you are teaching them well so they can apply what you are teaching them. In our classes at YDC (Youth Development Center) we have started by teaching them contractions. We are teaching things like I’m, You’re, They’re, We’re. In the English language there are so many shortcuts to say things that otherwise would be said in a longer sentence. For example you can say “My name is Joshua” or you can say “I’m Joshua”. Although the first example does not take much time to write we as humans love to finder the easier way to do things not just talk. When we travel to a village to work we do our best to take the shortest easiest route to get there. Why waste energy if you do not have to? It is almost instinctual for us to do this. We are constantly in life trying to find the quickest easiest way to do things. In a lot of ways that is okay. There is nothing wrong with being more efficient. There is one case that is not so true. And that is the road to the cross.
I recently started reading the book “The Pilgrim’s Progress-an allegory by John Bunyan. If you like to read fictional stories with biblical undertones I recommend you read it. It is about a man name Christian finding the way to Mount Zion from the City of Destruction. He is told to take the narrow road but along the way others try to get him to take a shortcut to be relieved of his burdens. Just like many other things in life we also are very open to an answer to our burdens that allows us to overcome them the easiest shortest way possible. Believe if there was a way I would try to find it. However, there is not one. The bible tells us that we travel the road less traveled. We cannot try to take the “shortcuts”. And when we try we always find that the road always leads us right back to the City of Destruction.
My life has not been easy. Deciding to go on the World Race instead of going back to school to grasp my American dream was not the easiest choice. The road I choose to take was the narrowest. Every day I also find that it is also the road that is drawing me closer to Mount Zion. Trusting in the Father and having patience that I will learn and be giving what I need right when I need it. Getting any of that before it is time is a sure way to finding myself using it up and having nothing like the Prodigal son. Jesus did not take the shortcut to save us. You can believe that dying on a cross was not the shortcut. And we are called to be like him. How could we ever think taking the shortcut was the right thing?
And just like in the book with Christian ever obstacle you overcome to choose the narrow road presents you with a new one where you get to make the choice. That is why it is so important that you are aware of who is leading the way for you. That is why it is important that you are reading the Word. That is why it is important that you are praying to and worshiping your heavenly Father. You can be sure impostors will come along the way to provide you with what your flesh wants… a short cut. If you know what the truth teller looks like and sounds like you will not be lead a stray. Choose to live a life of no shortcuts.
