A common phenomenon in nature is the “path of least resistance” explained in the dictionary as ‘the easiest course to follow’
In physics, the path of least resistance is always taken by objects moving through a system, so we see white water rapids because water flowing downhill follows the path of least resistance as it is pulled downward by gravity.
Electricity moving through a circuit will always travel where it has the “easiest” route.
Rivers always travel around a mountain, around rocks etc, even though it greatly multiplies the length of its journey.
What about people?
Yes, we are prone to take the path of least resistance.
> It is easier to sit in front of a TV than to care for a neighbour’s needs.
> It is easier to angry and let that anger smoulder than is to talk the problem through.
> It is easier to thumb through magazines than to study the Word of God
> It is easier to gossip and social talk with friends than it is to spend time in prayer
We need to remember one thing:
There is a major difference between US and a river
or between US and electricity.
They will never have to give account for their actions,
but WE WILL.
Romans 14:10, 12
We shall all stand before the judgement seat of God.
So then, every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
2 Corinthians 5:10
For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ,
that each one may receive the things done in the body,
according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
1 Corinthians 3:11-15
For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid,
which is Jesus Christ.
Now if anyone builds on this foundation
with gold, silver, precious stones,
wood, hay, straw,
each one’s work will become clear;
for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire;
and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.
If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
Our GOOD WORKS have NOTHING to do with our salvation, but AFTER we belong to the Lord, having been purchased by the blood of Christ, the natural outflow of the new life within us is to good works.
Ephesians 2:10
We Are His workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus for GOOD WORKS
which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Titus 2:14
Christ gave Himself for us
that He might redeem us from every lawless deed
and purify for Himself His own special people,
zealous for GOOD WORKS.
Titus 3:8
These things I want you to affirm constantly,
that those who have believed in God
should be careful to maintain GOOD WORKS
1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable,
ALWAYS ABOUNDING in the work of the Lord,
knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Mediocrity is a sin: don’t do your BIT:
do your BEST.
What you are is God’s gift to you:
what you make of what you are is your gift to God.
Related articles
- Not Good Enough! (ptl2010.com)
MEETING IN THE CLOUDS 
Do your best
God will do the rest
(thank you for the admonition)
I need to comment on the rafting! The first time my sister tried it she was thrown out with another woman because of the wild waters and then almost run over and killed. What her husband thought would be her last time ever on the waters ended up the beginning of a love affair. This year the two of them completed the entire Colombia River in BC Canada, a two week effort each summer by canoe for the last seven years…God has built such character in these two as they have persevered together climbing Mt Kilimonjaro, Machu Picchu, then walking the east to west coast of England and this summer the pilgrimage ‘THE WAY’ from France through Spain… they do marathon runs… all this since they turned 60 and 65, 10 years ago… all with fund raising to bless the needy. No coasting with these dear ones!
They see the hand of God in all of this and are grateful and it is catchy!
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing a glimpse of your sister’s life – an amazing couple – certainly not mediocre.
LikeLike
Wonderful, much-needed encouragement. Thank you!
LikeLike
Thanks for stopping by. I hope it helped you to trust the Lord.
LikeLike
Hey sister..I have missed you! I just wondered if you are doing okay. Praying for you and thinking of you!
LikeLike
Thanks Lyn. I have family arriving tomorrow morning, so I have been busy. I doubt if I’ll be here for the next few days. Thanks for your concern.
LikeLike
Wonderful! Angela, this post fascinates me. I love your use of regular stuff to make your point. You are undoubtedly correct, going with the flow is the easy way out, but that is not the direction God wants His children to take. The easy way out is a scheme the devil to divert attention from what is good and acceptable in the sight of God. Jesus warns us to, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. As you have rightly said we are responsible for our actions. Good or bad, “We shall all stand before the judgement seat of God.
So then, every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:10, 12).
Thanks so much for sharing this incredible post Angela. I enjoy reading it, and it blesses my soul richly.
LikeLike
Thanks Noel. While going with the flow is the easy way, it has very serious consequences. The devil has no mercy on those he entices.
Praise God that one call to Him is enough to send the devil scurrying, and set us free, but sometimes there are consequences that can’t be undone. I really have a burden for our young people who are being so greatly deceived into thinking they have ‘rights’ and almost anything goes. We need to reach them before time runs out.
We are one day closer!
LikeLike
Beautiful name…Angela! My youngest child’s name is Angelina. ;-)
LikeLike
Lyn I hated my name as a child. I wanted to be called Anne but no one cooperated. As an adult I have come to like it – but then my whole life changed, didn’t it?
LikeLike
Mediocrity is a sin: don’t do your BIT:
do your BEST.- Wow that is a good word!
LikeLike
Yes, I like it – even though it is a constant challenge.
On the same level, I like “If there is no fruit in my life, there is no reason for my existence”
LikeLike
Thank you sister Angela for this very blessed reminder. He gave us His best… His Only Son! Why would we ever want to give Him less than our best? That surely doesn’t mean we do everything right/perfect, but it does mean we freely “give our will over to Him” and then the beautiful flow of blessings for others (and ourselves) is promised!
We serve an amazing Glorious, Holy God!
Be blessed…
Stephanie
LikeLike
Thanks Stephanie. Since He gave His very best, His most precious, for me, that means that I am precious to Him. Awesome! I am precious to the perfect, omnipotent, triune, creator God! How could I possibly give less than my best to Him? I owe Him everything!
We are one day closer to the time we will be with Him forever and we will worship Him with NO distractions. What a day that will be!
LikeLike
Yes sister… what a “glorious” day that will be, when we all see Jesus and can worship Him; the King of Kings. Lifting my heart in praise!
LikeLike
Amother very important posting. I really appreciated your statement “Our GOOD WORKS have NOTHING to do with our salvation, but AFTER we belong to the Lord, having been purchased by the blood of Christ, the natural outflow of the new life within us is to good works.” How very true… a good tree, by nature, gives forth good fruit… and likewise an evil tree will give forth evil fruit. It is a rule of nature and also a rule of spirituality.
Lord bless you my friend.
LikeLike
I thought it necessary to add that “shout out” in case people got the wrong idea about our good works. Thanks for the reference to our fruit.
My second favourite saying is:
“If there is no fruit in my life, there is no reason for my existence”
LikeLike
Fantastic post, Cloudwatcher, and a great reminder for all of us!
LikeLike
Thanks Anna. Time is running out and we need to be zealous. We serve an amazing God who delights to work in us and through us to reach those who are lost.
LikeLike
Wonderful reminder dear sister. Christ in us will lead us to want to do His works. We will also receive rewards for those Godly works, but I believe we will all want to just turn and lay them at Jesus’ feet. I so wish to have those crowns to give to the One who truly deserves them. Bless You!
LikeLike
What a wonderful blessing it will be to lay our rewards at Jesus’ feet! And that is the ONLY place for them, because without Him we could do nothing. It is only as He works in us and enables and empowers us that we can do anything in His service.
What an amazing God we serve!
LikeLike
Mediocrity is a sin: don’t do your BIT:
do your BEST.
Amen.. He did His best for us! We can do no less.
LikeLike
Amen! Yes He did!
LikeLike
Amen again. He demands – and is entitled to – our EVERYTHING.
Anything less than 100% is denying Him what is rightfully His – and it is also robbing ourselves of the abundant blessings of surrender to Him.
LikeLike
Ah Mentor Angela, this is just so good. Challenging, but so good. And we must be challenged and awakened from taking the easiest route, from just doing our bit, for slipping into mediocrity. Thank you for urging us on to not give up now and coast. There is much at stake. God bless you as you do your best and present a beautiful gift to God and to us! love and prayers!
p.s. LOVED that final statement!
LikeLike
Deb, it seems as though the older I get, the more I want to coast, but thankfully, the Lord keeps challenging me and convicting me and giving me work that is more suited to my advancing years. There is no retirement from the Christian life – but the benefits are out of this world!
We serve a truly amazing God!
LikeLike
VERY good!
LikeLike
Thank you catlover.
Our amazing God supplies all our needs as we serve Him.
LikeLike
Great illustration! Although the path of least resistance seems easy, its fruit is inferior and bitter. Once we are in relationship with Jesus our Lord, he changes our desires. Good fruit flows out of loving God and allowing him to transform us into his image.
LikeLike
I like your comparison of the fruit from the easy life and that from the transformed life. The fruit HE gives is satisfying and accomplishes His purpose in us.
What an amazing God!
LikeLike