"One UI, optimizing apps" appeared on my phone screen as it turned on. Curious as to what it meant, I looked it up and discovered that "UI" is a shortcut that stands for "user interface" — visual or audio elements that humans use to interact with a computer or smartphone in a user-friendly manner. In other words, everything on my phone that's not an app.

There are many such language shortcuts that we use every day as abbreviations formed from initial letters. I discovered that the ones that are pronounced as a word, like NATO, are called acronyms, while the ones that are pronounced letter by letter, like UI or FBI, are called initialisms.

Shortcuts can sometimes be helpful, like the ones that are frequently used for common phrases in text messages or Facebook posts to convey a meaning quickly and save time, for example ASAP (as soon as possible); BTW (by the way); AKA (also known as); LOL (laughing out loud); or IDK (I don't know).

But very often, taking a shortcut does not improve the outcome. There are many examples in the Bible that have had consequences far into the future.

Eve "saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too." (Genesis 3:6b NLT) Because of that decision, they were banished from the Garden of Eden, and pain, violence, and death entered the world.

Sarai, Abram's wife, discovered that shortcuts don't work when she said to him, "The Lord has prevented me from having children. Go and sleep with my servant. Perhaps I can have children through her." (Genesis 16:2b NLT) That decision resulted not only in friction within the family, but also in years of conflict that continue to this day.

Solomon's son, Rehoboam, listened to his childhood friends instead of to the nation's elders (1 Kings 12:1-17), and the nation that God had established many years before was divided into two kingdoms. Both eventually fell to invaders.

Sometimes, we may think that we know a better way, but "My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the Lord. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine." (Isaiah 55:8 NLT)

Psalm 37:5,7a – Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. (NLT)

Too often, we want to take shortcuts to achieve our dreams and goals. But ultimately, those shortcuts, while they may give us temporary victory or satisfaction, will only cause us to miss out on what God has prepared for us. Hard as it may be, we need to trust in what God has planned for us.

Philippians 1:6 – And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. (NLT)

Prayer: Lord, we're so prone to rushing ahead into decisions, taking shortcuts instead of involving You and looking to You and Your Word for wisdom. Help us to trust that You will continue Your good work in us until it is finally finished. Amen.

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About the author:

Sharon Cook <craftercook@gmail.com>
Apache Junction, Arizona, USA
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