By Todd Paetznick, January 11, 2024

Would it not be nice if no obstacles were getting in the way of achieving our goals?  Even as we formulate our plans and objectives for the coming year, we anticipate some obstacles, but then there are the obstacles that seemingly pop up out of nowhere and mess up our plans.  

In the business world, effective strategic decision-making typically falls into three primary categories: those that maximize profitability, minimize risk, and establish competitive advantage. Things go wrong within each of these categories when costs go up due to unforeseen issues, a risky investment does not produce the expected return, or a competitor introduces some new capability that limits the value of our offerings.  Many things happen outside the business decision-maker’s control that have to be dealt with, often as they happen.  The optimal situation is when everything goes according to plan, and minimal adjustments are needed to reach the objective.  Straight paths.

Metaphorically, straight paths represent implemented plans that do not need adaptation because of some external variable that messes up the plan.  Straight paths rarely happen.   Straight paths are a big deal when we look at them from a business perspective and as individuals.  Organizations in the United States spend over 60 billion dollars annually on management consulting services in the search for efficiency and optimization in achieving competitive advantage.  Efficiency experts and consultants command large paychecks because optimizing processes can give organizations a competitive advantage worth many times more than the 60 billion dollars spent on advice.  Individuals also search for the most productive and efficient ways to achieve their personal and professional objectives.  Eliminating obstacles to achieving personal goals is the objective of the self-help industry, which generated over 21 billion dollars in the United States in 2021.  The desire for optimization, efficiency, and straight paths is significant, and people are willing to pay much to achieve it. 

The Bible says much about how God-followers should conduct business, there are clear instructions on what to do and what not to do.  The Bible includes its own case studies documenting the value of godly wisdom when it is followed.  The Bible is not one-sided in its case studies; it also documents what happens when God’s commands are ignored.  The ways of God may sometimes seem counter-intuitive, but within them is the promise straight paths.

A very familiar passage of scripture teaches us this principle and explains that God will take an active role in making paths straight (Proverbs 3:6). The statement could easily be taken out of context with a person claiming that God promises to make paths straight.  The statement is true, but it does not accurately reflect the entirety of its author’s intent.  Here is how it reads:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him,  And He will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6 NASB20).

This frequently quoted passage from the Bible is good to know and remember if you have not already memorized it.  But it is important to remember the passage in its entirety.  The passage’s last line shows the process’s outcome is God making paths straight.  But this represents much more than a magic formula to generate straight paths.  The wisdom from Solomon, as recorded in the book of Proverbs, requires a level of trust and faith in God that goes beyond merely following the steps of a process.  

The danger with familiarity is that we can miss important details.  Through many years of teaching, I have discovered that a disruption in what is expected helps us better learn concepts; for this reason, we are starting at the end of this passage in Proverbs.  

4.  God makes paths straight.  Solomon states simply that God will make straight paths as the outcome of living the process that starts with trusting God.  

3.  Acknowledging God and his role in our plans and business success is essential to our worship of God.  Getting our thinking right concerning God means we align with Him, not vice versa.  God seemingly acts on our behalf in making paths straight, but accepting that God knows better is a mark of spiritual maturity.  

2.  Leaning not on one’s understanding addresses a common problem that has plagued people across the ages: thinking we know better than God about what we should do.  Being surrounded by advice from “experts” with prestigious degrees and studies to support their opinions makes our decision-making more challenging.  As Christians, we should not ignore outside advice but must consider it relative to biblical teaching.  When there is a moral component to the decision that needs to be made, we cannot ignore biblical instruction.  

1.  Trusting in the LORD with all your heart introduces the God-follower to a faith that enables decision-making and taking action with minimal delay.  Trusting God means that we reach a point in our faith where we know God’s ways are best.  We can quickly make decisions and take action confident in the knowledge that what we do is best.  Best according to God’s standards. 

God makes paths straight.  This is the desired outcome and is obtainable when we live the process outlined in the passage.  Trust results in quick decision-making.  Intellectual alignment with God recognizes our own limitations.  And our acknowledgment of God and his sovereignty aligns our will with His.  Over the next three weeks, we will dive deeper into steps 3, 2, and 1 to get straight paths. 

For now, consider what it would mean to have the obstacles removed from your life’s path.  What will you do or pay to achieve your life goals?  A good start will be learning what God tells us about how His world operates and how we can be a part of His plans.