The Principle of the Path
I finished Andy Stanley’s most recent book, The Principle of the Path, last week. Andy is one of those guys that seems to have figured out how to get from here to there, so I figured I’d read his book about how to get from where I am to where I want to be.
Here are some of the highlights from my reading:
- “To get from where we don’t want to be to where we do want to be requires two things: time and a change of direction.”
- “Direction–not intentions, hopes, dreams, prayers, beliefs, intellect, or education–determines destination.”
- “We should break the habit of drawing a circle around individual decisions and events and dismissing them as isolated occurrences. These are steps. Steps that lead somewhere.”
- “Prudent people look as far down the road as possible when making decisions.”
- “Christians start talking about forgiveness as if somehow forgiveness serves as an escape hatch from the outcome of bad decisions.”
- “When happiness points in one direction while wisdom, truth, integrity, and common sense point in another, that’s when really smart people start doing really stupid things.”
- “Your heart can’t be trusted… The truth is, if you let it, your heart will direct you down a path that leads to the very spot you most want to avoid.”
- “The choices are now. The outcomes are later. The decisions you make today have ramifications down the road.”
- “One never accomplishes the will of God by breaking the law of God, violating the principles of God, or ignoring the wisdom of God.”
- “I am constantly amazed at how resistant folks are to take their cues from people who are where they want to be.”
- “We don’t drift in good directions. We discipline and prioritize ourselves there.”
Simple principles in this book, but their implications have an enormous impact on the outcomes of our lives.
I encourage you to pick up the book. I’m leaving lots of great quotes and stories out of this post. Among other things, I cracked up when I read Andy’s version of “The Italian Job”…and it made me want to visit Italy that much more.
Here’s my Amazon link if you’d like to order the book online.
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Wow! This sounds like a book I definitely need to read. I personally feel that I am a stage where establishing a new direction while staying true to the will of God will dictate my future or lack there of.
I appreciate the comment made that we cannot pursue the will of God by breaking His law and principles. In this pursuitwe cannot bypass the experience and wisdom of those who have traveled the road ahead of us.
great summary Tony! Definitely an excellent book from a guy who has lived this principle out in his personal life as well as his leadership and in his organization.
The principle of the path is a must read & a “must live” for us all!
Great book by Andy again! He never ceases to amaze me with his simple truths that make you think..”why did’nt I think of that?”
i listen to his leadership podcasts…always good principles
Tony,
This is a great book! I read it in May and posted my review as well. You and I highlight several of the same quotes.
Tony, thanks for sharing your review. You are a trusted source for me and so is Andy so it’s a win-win post!
Thanks for the review. Adding this to my must-read list this quarter.
Love me some Andy Stanley. Solid stuff. Most people are either a good speaker or a good writer. Andy is both. I have never read a book by Andy or listened to a message and not left challenged and equipped to DO what I just heard or read.
Great stuff! I manage a team of church planters overseas. I got a copy o the book to each one of them.
Great book. If anyone is interested I found some interesting shirts to help spread the word. http://www.cafepress.com/jesusteesplus
I just picked up this book last week. I was hooked when i read the first story about Andy and his friend ignoring the ‘road closed’ sign as teenagers. A great metaphor for our daily choices.
Thanks for the review.