I’ve got to admit, that the Principle of the Path didn’t contain any new, mind-blowing revelations for me. I remember the series Andy did on it, and his catchphrase “Direction – not intention – determines our destination.”  Even though I know this (and pretty much everybody does deep down) it’s very easy to find yourself wandering down a path while intending to go down another.

I think one chapter that hit me pretty hard was “The Great Disconnect”. Really it was just one question – “Are there discrepancies between what you desire in your heart and what you are doing with your life?” For me this question has more to do with the direction my heart is leading me in and my lack of involvement in those areas all together. I intend to do more with artists, but I don’t. My jobs prevent me from having the time & energy to do so, at least that’s the excuse I continue to give myself.

I’ve also got to say that God’s timing is somewhat funny. As I started to read this book, we started a new series at Buckhead Church called Your Move which had questions to ask yourself when making big (or small) decisions. I would listen to the message, then the next day continue reading the next chapter of this book. Several times it was as if I was re-reading the sermon from the previous day. These questions are amazing. “Why am I doing this really?” “What story do I want to tell?” “In light of my past experience, my future hopes, and my dreams, what is the wise thing to do?” Finally, a HUGE point is simply put: “Choosing the best path, then, begins with submission.” Or as he later writes, “Divine direction begins with unconditional submission.”

Honestly, it’s easy for me to write about all the things I underlined and the little insights I learned from the book. I could write pages on how I see the truth in these, but this section on application is more difficult, however. Application demands action, and action can be quite frightening. Andy writes, “Prudent people know that it’s what you do that makes the difference, not what you see.” Later he writes, “Seeing it, feeling it, agreeing with it is not enough.” Right now, like most people, I am faced with some big decisions – potentially life changing ones. I don’t find coincidence in the timing of reading this book and the other books I am reading, the Your Move series at church, the development of this mentor group, and the decisions I am having to face. But I can’t forget everything I have read and heard.

I must constantly be checking myself – am I submitting every aspect of my life to God? What story will this decision tell and is it consistent with my past experiences and future dreams? Am I being completely honest with myself? What path is this decision taking me down? Am I seeking advice from people that have been down this path before or from people who haven’t? More specifically, I need to take action quicker. I tend to spend more time thinking, analyzing, and weighing the potential outcomes. The hazard here is that I tend to think I can still in the thinking process, but there is no standing still in life. But in reality, by changing nothing, I’m continuing in the same direction. I must learn to seek God, ask myself the above questions, seek advice, and take action.