The Fast-track is a Lie

The fast-track is a lie

I saw a very tall mountain that had two trails to choose from. One side of the mountain went up gradually, slanting upward and zigzagging as it went. I understood that if I walked this path, it would build slow, deep character.

On the other side, I saw an almost completely vertical slide. People who chose this treacherous path refused to listen to direction. They saw the quickest route up and immediately chose it. From the looks of it, it had many more opportunities to fail and slide down. 

I asked, “What are you wanting me to see here?”

He responded, “You need a mind shift. Instead ask, what do you do when you get to the top of the mountain?”

My first thought was that you slid down, maybe toward another mountain or another path, because that’s what I saw as I climbed up. I thought those people who took the vertical slide got to the top faster and were being rewarded with another assignment.

“No, there is more to climb higher to go, and deeper to explore into the depths of My heart.”

The clouds at the top of the mountain cleared, and I saw translucent tubes that went straight up into the air, reaching farther than I could see. “These are places of acceleration, and they happen during times of resistance.” I then saw that these vertical tubes had ladders within them. “These times of resistance are during criticism and offense that push and resist against you as you climb. When you return offensive behavior and words with godly love and grace, you rise quickly. What you see as times of trouble are actually times of advancement, as your character reflects Mine at a deeper level.”

I sighed, thinking it still looked harder than the slide option.

“Notice when you climb the ladder, you’ll find that a tube envelops you at all times. Should you get tired, you can lean back against the tube and rest. My boundaries offer opportunities for rest. The fast, worldly way of the slide only offers intense work with no mercy. If at any time you rest, you slide right back down.

Still not convinced, I hesitated to ask the next question. “But if I took the faster slide, wouldn’t I just get to the top of the mountain faster and then enter the tubes faster?”

I felt his deep and steady patience. “No, daughter, if you don’t choose the longer, harder path that refines character over time, you would no longer have the option of the tubes and ladders, because your character could not withstand their demands. Trust that I am faithful and true and will choose the best path for you as you surrender to My wisdom and guidance. There are no fast-tracks only times of acceleration as I see fit.”

***

The fast-track is a lie.

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4, ESV)

Why in the world would we ever be excited to face trials? Because it is the only ‘fast-track’ or, as He put it, “times of acceleration” in the Christian walk. Times of trials compress us so deeply that refined gold flows from our hearts. As we receive His grace and pour it out to other’s we are transformed into who He created us to be. The easy paths that we would probably choose do not offer godly refinement. Building character requires sacrifice, time, and prioritizing the Kingdom, so resistance always accompanies these things.

Determining what is a trial versus a scheme of the enemy takes godly discernment. So that we know whether to rebuke the devil or push in deeper with the Lord. But in all things, we need to display thankfulness. Which is often counterintuitive to our fleshy minds.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you,” (1Thes. 5:18, ESV).

How is that even possible?

We are not thanking Him for the disease that we fight, but we thank Him for the opportunity to grow closer to Him. We thank Him that He will work out all things for the good of those who love Him. Despite the pain, we stand in joy, anticipating what His goodness will look like, all the while knowing it could and probably will be months or even years before we see the goodness that He is talking about. Maybe even a lifetime.

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose,” (Rom. 8:28, ESV).

Prayer for you and me: Help us submit to Your Kingdom principles even when they seem counterintuitive. Grant us the grace to walk through trials with joy. You are such a good Father beyond our comprehension, and we praise and worship You. Thank You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.