The_Principle_of_the_Path__87586_zoomAndy Stanley has done a remarkable job with his book The Principle of the Path. Remarkable, because the book not only contains a wisdom that rings true on every page, but as the same time is very readable and even laugh out funny at times. Plus, Andy Stanly only uses the amount of words he needs to get his point across, making it a quick read – though applying it may cost way more time.

The key message of the book is this:

Direction – not intentions, hopes, dreams, prayers, beliefs, intellect, or education – determines our destination.

To quote:

“The direction you are currently traveling – relationally, financially, spiritually, and the list goes on and on- will determine where you end up in each of those respective arenas.”

In the rest of the book, Andy Stanley explores the disconnection we have between our intentions and our actual direction and how we can change this. Because let’s face it, most of us don’t analyze the destinations associated with the paths we have chosen (or the alternative paths we could take), we often take the path of the least resistance, the path that ‘feels good’.

A key verse he uses to unpack this is Proverbs 27:12:

The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.

As he points out, the difference between the prudent and the simple isn’t what happens to them, what they see. It’s how they respond.

I could write much more about the wisdom in this book, but I’d really encourage you to read it yourself. Like I said, it’s a quick and easy read and Andy is a great storyteller. But don’t let the light tone fool you: this book contains wisdom that will help you make better choices.