The Shortcut

Last updated on: December 26, 2019 at 9:22 am by Iman

The Shortcut 2019-12-26T09:22:56-06:00 Iman

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Imagine entering a contest with a huge group of people, where everyone has to go through the world’s largest labyrinth. It’s definitely tough, yet promised to be doable. There is no time limit- nobody has taken longer than twelve hours before. Everyone will have to overcome obstacles along the way, like climbing stairs, ducking and crawling under surfaces, and even crossing some parts of it by swinging on monkey bars. The prize, though, is what drew everyone in: $1 million, cash, for every person who makes it to the center.

Everyone is told to go to a randomly assigned entrance of the maze, depending on the number they drew out of a bowl. You drew #3, so you join the other contestants in your group at a tall cutout of a bright green hedge, with a large “3” on a sign next to it. The rules are explained once more, echoing throughout the field as the moderator’s voice leaves the massive speakers, and finally, the shrill whistle is blown. One by one, everyone rushes through the entrance, eager to get as far into the maze as possible before sunset.

You walk as quickly as you can through the maze, occasionally running into dead ends, but nothing more serious than that. Then you hit your first obstacle: monkey bars stretching over a 20 foot long mud-filled ditch; you always hated these. You pat your moist palms on your jeans to dry them off, and start swinging. Before you know it, you’re on the other side- not as bad as you’d remembered them to be in second grade. Your confidence keeps building as you continue on in the maze, knocking out one obstacle after the next like it’s no big deal.

After an hour in the maze, you start feeling thirsty as the summer heat gets to you. Those mosquito bites aren’t exactly pleasant, either. You pick up your pace a bit, hoping to make better time, but you trip and scrape your palms on the rough ground beneath you. Another few hours pass by, and your legs are starting to feel the strain of all the stairs you’ve been climbing and descending. Crawling under low hedges is hurting your palms where you scraped them. You try to keep your goal in sight, but the thought passes through your mind, “it’s probably too good to be true, anyway.” A few hours in the maze, surrounded by 15-foot tall hedges, have left you feeling claustrophobic, worn out, and hungry, making it seem like the prize isn’t even worth it anymore- if it’s even real. Just as you start to wonder if you’ll ever make it out, you see a sign: SHORTCUT. You see someone turn the corner where the sign is at, and you follow them in.

Woah. What is this place? You’re standing under a massive canopy of bright orange and red leaves, on a dirt path that’s paved as smooth as a new asphalt road. The half dozen people around you are getting in luxury sports cars that are lined up along the side, and you follow suit. You start driving with the top down, enjoying the refreshing breeze and beautiful scenery around you. The sunset is directly ahead, making the clouds glow a brilliant, deep pink. Your competitors, who are now your companions, drive faster and faster, and you do the same. You talk to each other through your car phones about how sorry you feel for everyone who’s still stuck in the maze, struggling through tiring obstacles. Haven’t they seen the sign for this shortcut? What are they thinking?

You pass by a sign that says you’re only 1000 feet away. So close, yet… You don’t want to leave anymore. This is the life. This feeling is priceless. You don’t want to lose it, especially for a “prize” that probably doesn’t exist. You close your eyes, and feel the wind brushing through your hair.

When look back up, you feel as though you’ve been punched in the gut.

One by one, all of your friends are driving off a cliff. “Are they crazy?!” You slam both of your feet down on the breaks, but the car doesn’t slow down. You pass by one last sign: HOPE YOU ENJOYED YOUR PRIZE. You’re forced off the cliff too, and thrown out of your car through the top you had down. Falling… Falling…

“Know that the worldly life is only a game, and a temporary attraction, and a means of boastfulness among yourselves… In the life hereafter there will be severe torment, or forgiveness and mercy from Allah. The worldly life is only a deceiving enjoyment. Compete with one another to achieve forgiveness from your Master and to reach Paradise, which is as vast as the skies and the earth combined, and is prepared for those who truly believe in Allah and His Messenger. This is the favor of Allah, and He grants it to whomever He wants. The favors of Allah are supreme.” (57:20-21)

“And rush to forgiveness from your Master, and a Garden as large as the skies and the earth, for the people who protected themselves… What an amazing compensation for those who put themselves to work.” (3:133)

Faith & Spirituality

Reality Check

Previous Post

April 21, 2014

Vaapsi (The Return)

Next Post

May 2, 2014 Is Regret Ever a Good Thing?

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Afterlife Culture Dealing with Others English Faith & Spirituality Inspiration Letters to the Ummah Personal / Life Poetry Ramadan Reality Check Reflections Relationships Religion Society & Culture Uncategorized Urdu Women

Select a Month September 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 January 2020 December 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 March 2016 November 2015 October 2015 June 2015 May 2015 February 2015 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What Christian group is known for their "Circuit Riders" in history?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Baptists Anglicans Methodists Lutherans