The Easy Way or the Hard Way

     My father raised us with the admonition, “there’s an easy way and there’s a hard way. Which way do you want to do it?”   “Easy” translated to obedience; “hard” meant defiance and dire consequences.

     I thought about this when I saw a dove one morning flap itself up against a wire enclosure repeatedly, when the exit was a mere few inches away.  I tried to shoo it toward the escape, unsuccessfully.   Finally, it flapped upon the exit, flying off. 

    How often have I chosen the stubborn hard way of doing things, instead of looking for the obvious escape plan?   It reminds me of when my daughter told my grandson to write sentences for an infraction he committed, and he said, “I’d rather just get spanked that many times.” 

     What does your “hard way” look like?  I’m not suggesting that God’s “escape plan” is always a walk in the park…it might require a dose of obedience, unselfishness, humility, or an entire reversal of egocentric attitudes and behaviors. 

     My hard way includes:  avoiding, handling, and disentangling from toxic relationships;  demonstrating compassion vs. judgment;  anger; forgiveness; walking in peace and not anxiety;  following healthy habits. 

     Exodus 20: 1-17.  I revisited the 10 Commandments as guidelines God gave us to live a principled, orderly, and sane life.  I used to think they were laws we followed or rebelled against because of our hopeless human sinful nature.  With time and experience, I see that they can prevent some of the human heartbreak and pitfalls that we encounter in life and are hazardous road signs. 

     In simplified terms, have no other gods.  Priorities straight.  Don’t take the name of the Lord in vain.  Our words need to be respectful and not profane.  Remember the Sabbath Day.  Hear the word of the Lord, while fellowshipping with other Christians. 

      Honor your mother and father.  Sometimes we have inherent conflict with our parents; I know I did.   There is peace in resolving conflicts and being there for them. 

     Do not commit murder.  That one sounds so dramatic, yet we see in today’s world the devastation of violent crimes and mass killings.  In yesterday’s sermon, Pastor Tom Quaid even spoke against having murderous thoughts toward people.  

      Do not commit adultery.  I’ve seen this happen firsthand with two marriages and even in a former church.  I don’t know how “easy” it is to avoid this temptation, but destroying a marriage and breaking children’s hearts seems a lot harder to me.   

      Do not steal.  Don’t take other people’s stuff, don’t steal time from your employer, don’t fudge on your taxes. 

     Do not bear false witness, lying or slandering against others.  Finally, don’t covet…wanting what we don’t have, or can’t have, is a recipe for resentment and temptation. 

     Whatever our hard ways look like, can we consider if God has shown us a better escape plan, a much easier way to do things?  I see a Shepherd, standing at an open gate, showing us the way.