November 29 – The Easy Way (Judges 21:25)

“There is a way that seems right to a man, . . .”
(Proverbs 14:12)

IN WORD:
When given a choice between an easy option and a difficult one, which are we most likely to select? All other things being equal, the easy one. But all other things are not equal. Our choices have far-reaching ramifications, and God usually has a preference in them. And, not surprisingly to us, His will has little to do with what’s easy.
The United States Declaration of Independence asserts our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That’s ingrained in us. We are not often encouraged to do difficult things unless the rewards are great — and clear to our senses. No, more often we prefer the path of least resistance. We’ll work for a self-serving cause, or even a selfless cause we feel passionately about. But we do not see God’s benefits easily. We are unaware of His rewards, unfamiliar with His Kingdom’s ways, and often unconcerned with the glory of His name. We are creatures of the easy way.
That’s a natural tendency of a fallen humanity, and cultural ideals and elders who know better try to train us otherwise. But, like the Israelites in one terribly lawless period, everyone does as he or she sees fit (Judges 21:25). We forget that God never asked us to do what seems right in our own eyes; He asks us to do what is right in His eyes. Before the Holy Spirit lovingly invades our lives, we have no spiritual discernment and are guided by impure minds. At the time, that seems like a satisfying independence. But in truth, it’s a scary way to live.

IN DEED:
Consider God’s ways with those in the Bible. If difficulties indicated being out of God’s will, Paul had most certainly gone astray. (His hardships are itemized in 2 Corinthians 6:4-10). If obedience were always an easy decision, Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac was pointless. No, our God calls us to hard things. We don’t like that, but we need to get used to it. It’s a temporary but certain component of the Kingdom of God: The way that seems right often isn’t.

“I was not born to be free. I was born to adore and to obey.”
-C.S. Lewis-