Resist the Shortcuts
As part of our Vision recap, we’ve recently looked at the story of the Israelites and their journey through the wilderness in our sermons on Sunday. We’ve been encouraged to resist the shortcuts and we wanted to put some practical tips as to how you can do that here to help you.
When the prize is a person - we must resist the shortcuts
Philippians 3:14: I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
What shortcuts may we be tempted to take?
Putting other things in place of God (Idols)
Exodus 32:1-6
When tech and AI is becoming more normative it’s easy to turn to that to shortcut knowing God and wrestling with His word for ourselves
Recognise that AI and Tech are trained to give confident, affirming answers (not always truthful ones)
Instead of turning to those easy (but not always truthful) answers, pursue Jesus yourself by:
Starting each day in God’s word, not on a device
Give space each day inviting God to lead you and speak to you
Write down (journal) questions, prayers and promptings given to you
Wrestle with Scripture by meditating on it, praying about it and sharing it with trusted friends
Use tech and AI to help you find where to look when you have questions, but don’t trust it to give you the answers
Comparing our lives to others (Comparison)
Numbers 11:4-6
When it’s easy to see, hear and experience the lives of other people it’s easy to turn to the shortcut of thinking that someone else’s life should be what I’m aiming for.
Recognise that when we compare ourselves like this we rob ourselves of joy (as others lives inevitably look better when viewed from afar) and we miss out on what God is doing in us and through us
Instead of comparing ourselves, pursue Jesus by:
Getting rid of the noise by limiting your ability to see, hear and know what is going on in other peoples lives. If that’s social media, consider limiting or spending time away from it.
Prioritise what God says about you daily by spending time in His word
Form a prayer pod of people who will cover you in prayer but also encourage you when things are hard
Being sidetracked by tough times (Trials)
Numbers 14:1-3
When life is difficult it’s easy to turn to the shortcut of wanting the situation to disappear or long for ‘the way things used to be’.
Recognise that God is not absent when we suffer or go through trials and that often we are more shaped by His character in life’s valleys.
Instead of wanting to press the ‘eject’ button:
Bring what you are going through to God in prayer. We are encouraged to be honest before God as many of the Psalms are.
Surround yourself with a prayer pod or other trusted people to help you to face what is going on together
