Easy No More

I have decided I cannot stand the phrase, "It's just easier." The sad thing is all of us (including myself) sometimes choose the easiest route instead of the most effective one. When stuck between doing something hard that could be way more effective and bring God glory in the process or taking the easy way out, we bail! We bail and then wonder why our lives, ministries, and home lives are ineffective.

I admit I have lead out of this philosophy. In fact I did recently. I was staring this exact dilemma in the face when an employee said, "it will just be easier if we do this," and I caved. I could've said, "No, I asked for this to happen and even though it's gonna be harder, I know that it will affect and touch way more lives." I caved and bailed on an awesome idea! I have done this in coaching as well. There were times where it was just easier to let the runner who needed to be disciplined, get away with murder, because we needed his score to count.

Lets be honest, sometimes hearing, "it will be easier" because then we won't have to do this, this, and this is a relief because I know whoever I'm working with is happy and satisfied not having to go the extra mile and sometimes that's just easier to manage. But what if this, this, and this, would have been incredible? I just missed out on some amazing blessings because instead of leading, I just went along with it and said "whatever is going to be easier on you." I hate that mentality and never want to lead or think like that again!

I think God has called us to more than just the "easy thing," especially in ministry! So many churches and pastors just want to get by and take the "easy" route instead of the "harder" one, and look at how many are ineffective because of it. May God forgive me for taking the "easy" route. I don't want to ever say "if it's easier then do it," again! If the easiest route is the best solution, then that's fine. But may we get to a point where when faced to choose between the easy and the hard, even though the hard route may take more time, more energy, bigger resources, or even having to PLAN AHEAD, may we not just toss it aside for something that may work but is ineffective in the touching and reaching lives because we just wanted it to be "easy".

So I'm through with the saying, "It's just easier," and maybe by taking this mentality, I will be a better man. Even it makes life a little harder, I will be a better leader, leading a more effective and satisfied team because we will be able to look back and know we conquered what some never could because they took the "easy way".