This phrase has been on my mind so much lately. In the last 24 hours, I must have had 4-5 conversations with people about it. When this happens, I usually get the impression that God is making an impression on me. I have never had God “tell me” anything. I don’t know if He has a deep, masculine voice, or a higher pitched voice. I don’t know if He speaks really quickly or slowly. All I know is when He speaks, it’s powerful! Just ask “darkness” when God said, “Let there be light!”
But when I find myself “stuck” on a thought like this, I like to sit up and take notice - like God is tugging on my heart and saying, “Listen kid, I want you to learn something here.” So I guess a good way to look into this is to write a post. I will come back in due curse and post a comment to myself to record what’s happened!
The path of least resistance is the path we take 99.9% of the time. When things get too hard, or stress and exhaustion creep in and cloud your thinking, or you face ridicule or opposition to what you want to do, what’s your natural reaction? Do you like to throw your hands into the air and declare, “it’s all too much for me!”
When society, as a collective whole, decides to do this, what do we end up with? I submit to you that the net effect of following the “path of least resistance” is an ugly, shallow and purposeless reality called “mediocrity.” Our lives become so empty, dull and void, that we spend our lives walking around like zombies wondering, “what’s my purpose in life?”
Many try to numb the void with careers, entertainment, sport, drugs, alcohol, sexual pursuits. They pick up hobbies and spend hours in shopping malls doing “therapy” to mend the emptiness.
It’s no wonder that some of the highest paid people are entertainers and sports people. The path of least resistance drives us to our couches to watch others acting to be someone or running around like headless chooks in an attempt to beat someone else. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with sport, but when it’s used to plug a hole of emptiness, then it’s a poor Band-Aid at best.
Trodding along the path of least resistance will see you finishing life and leaving no legacy behind. Mediocrity does not build legacy. Mediocrity promotes nothing really, cause nothing stands out in your life different to others. This path is the wide road where many people travel.
History is full of people who have tread a different path. A path which has changed the course of mankind in ways which seem incredible to the simple. Think of examples like the Spartans in the current blockbuster film “300.” These 300 Spartan Warriors et al held off the advancing Persian Army long enough for Greece to rally together an army to finally defeat the Persians in their pursuit to conquer Europe. Alexander The Great was born 100 years later and finally destroyed the Persian Empire and Greece became a world empire and dominated culture for centuries. The New Testament is written in Greek.
Think of other historic figures such as Christopher Columbus and Captain Cook and the way their lives had had a massive impact on the world we now know. Obviously there are sinister characters who have also traveled this path. Think of people such as Hitler, Napoleon and Osama Bin Laden.
A favourite group of mine who have treaded along a different path are the Apostles and the Early Church. Apart from John, most Apostles were murdered for their faith. Many Christians were used as bait at Gladiator tournaments and fed to the lions. They could have denounced their faith and tread along the path of least resistance. But they didn’t. They stuck to their guns and changed the course of history and through them, Chritianity exploded onto the world scene.
I suggest that you will not make any difference in your life, your family, your friends, your church or your society unless you tread down the path OF resistance. Positive progress in anything GOOD will involve pain, sacrifice and resistance. We humans are a sad bunch really cause we want change but are unwilling to do anything to bring about that change - like it will magically happen despite ourselves.
To see how this practically plays out, here are some examples:
- You have sin or issues in your life? Swallow your pride, repent and change your life - no matter the cost.
- You have issues with friends and family? Have those difficult conversations and address the issues without sweeping it under the carpet. Approach the situation with humbleness and realise that all parties involved, especially yourself, are sinners and need redemption.
- Things aren’t working at church? Realise that Jesus is in heaven and has left you on earth to continue the revolution He started. Repent of your moaning and groaning in service. Take stock of your situation. Abide in Jesus and let the Father work through you. Enough of finger pointing and excuses.
- Want to change your city? Become missional. Engage society the way Jesus engaged mankind. Become one of them in order to connect and then lead them to Jesus. Don’t conform to culture. Instead establish a counter culture
In writing this post, I have realised how easy it is to be on the path of least resistance. But that path leads to mediocrity and blandness where sin, and the effects of sin, rule. Join me in jumping off that path and onto one full of resistance, full of obstacles, full of trials. Take up your cross and follow the One who has tread that path already. He said that if we tread this path, our life will be abundant.
Not mediocre.
Attitude, Christianity, Missional, Culture
LayGuy | May 30, 2007
I love Church Relevance’s conclusion on this matter:
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