We often visualize flowing creeks, streams, and rivers when thinking of this idea of “paths of least resistance”. They will move around rocks and earth to find the easiest path to take them on their journey.
We pretty much do the same thing with the many paths traveled in our lives. It’s not necessarily the best thing, but we still do it. We cut corners. We cut time. We avoid. We quit. Anything to make life easier.
My first example is, of course, about me. I believe in one of my first blogs I shared with you about a time in my life, very recently, actually, when I was mad at God. I was angry because I felt I did what was expected of me by God but the situation I was in fell apart anyway. It was disastrous. Regardless, I became angry and I walked away from Him. Granted, I still knew He was there. He continued to bless me in so many ways. I was acting like a child and not speaking to Him, per se. The situation I was in relied on two people to make it work. Not just one. I realized that but still continued to be “mad” at Him. Do you know why? Because being mad at God gave me an excuse to do nothing. It was easy. I didn’t have give Him my time or my energy. I could do what I wanted. My path of least resistance. That went on for a couple of years. Would that have ended well for me? How long before He would have been done with me? He turned His back on His people all through history to teach them lessons. I am glad He gave me the time to figure things out. He surely didn’t have to, but then again, that is why He is an awesome God.
Sometimes, as parents, we follow the path of least resistance in rearing our children. Let’s face it, raising kids is difficult. It is a 24/7 job for 18 years. When we threaten a discipline, we often back out. We threaten and threaten and they repeat, only to get their way because we quit. We are too tired to get up and take the cookie jar away. We pick up all their toys while they watch Barney. We put them in a timeout until they decide when they can get up. We give them treats to stop a tantrum. You understand. We’ve all done it. We’ve followed the path of least resistance to the detriment of our children.
Do we give our all at work? Or do we try to make it look as though we’ve done a thorough job? Do we cut corners? Do we allow a coworker to take blame for our laziness and incompetence? Do we cover up our paths of resistance with lies, excuses, and whiteout?
How about your marriage? Are you giving your all to the one who holds your heart? Do you make that person feel that they are the most special person to you in all the world? Or do you give them minimal time and effort? Do you listen to them? Or better yet, do you hear them? Is your relationship with your phone more important than building and supporting and nurturing your relationship, because marriage certainly does not stop with “I do”. Marriage is a nonstop commitment of working together, of raising each other up, of sacrifice, of loving, and of giving. Don’t follow the path of least resistance in a marriage.
These are just a few examples of how we avoid doing difficult things. And yes, anything of value and everything good, is hard work and truly worth every bit of time and energy spent.
My salvation depended on getting off the path of least resistance. Our children need to learn respect for authority and to realize the world doesn’t cater to their individual desires. Your work ethics demand that you do your job fully and completely because neglect will be most likely be discovered and a career possibly ruined. Your marriage could end in divorce if you continue to avoid the rocks and hills and valleys.
The path of least resistance sounds like the easy way to go, but in the long run, it has devastating and long-lasting affects. Be mindful of the path you are traveling.
Thank you for reading my blogs. I hope you found something of value written here today. Be safe and healthy, my friends. Enjoy the coffee…and always be grateful. ♥️
Andi
Photo credits: first: Mattea, senior photo taken by her brother, Jet, of jetkaiserfilms.com; second: Cataract Falls (lower), November 2019, third: arial view of Maine, October 2019; fourth: Denae, rejoicing on a leaf-laden pathway, fall of 2011
Coffee with Andi 