The Principle of the Path: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be

Where you want to go in life and the path you choose to get there don't always agree---despite good intentions. Teaching that our direction determines our destination, Stanley offers a story-driven, Bible-based road map to help you avoid unnecessary disappointments and attain your goals for your marriage, career, finances, and more. Includes interactive study guide. 224 pages, hardcover from Nelson.

Your Direction, not Your Intention, Determines Your Destination.

There is often a tension between where we want to end up in life and the path we choose to get there. We fail to see that having good intentions is never good enough. Like Charlie Brown, we wrongly believe there’s something to be said for trying hard. We need to understand why, in spite of our good intentions, we may have ended up at the wrong destination with our finances, our marriages, our careers, or a host of other dreams. So how do we get from where we are to where we truly want to be? The Principle of the Path is a road map to proper direction and discipline.

Includes Extensive Study Guide.

Andy Stanley's book The Principle of the Path, by his own admission, is a very simple, utterly basic concept: "Direction, not intention, determines our destination." He explains this by saying that the road of life we're on always determines where we will wind up. It doesn't matter what we intended to be -- rich, famous, healthy, highly education, popular -- the path we take will determine where we actually wind up. Thus, if a person smokes her entire life and gets to be 55 years old and has lung cancer, it should not be a surprise. If a person spends all of his money year after year and never saves, then gets to retirement age and has nothing to live on, it should not be a surprise. Stanley points to several Bible verses that underscore his lessons, such as Proverbs 27:12, "The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it."

As a pastor and counselor, Rev. Stanley has heard endless stories that began with, "Yes, I knew when I started cheating on my wife it was wrong, but..." or "Sure, I knew that borrowing heavily had risks, but..." Most people know when they are moving in the wrong direction, but they hope they will be the exception to the rule of cause-and-effect. And, yes, Stanley admits wryly, there are spendthrifts who luck out and hit the lottery, and there are people who smoke for 40 years and still live to be 90; however, they are so incredibly rare, that is why they are remembered. For 99% of most folks, the rule still applies: "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap" (Gal. 6:7).

Similarly, just being sorry for one's terrible errors in judgment does not make the problems go away. "Forgiveness and consequences are two different things," says Stanley. "One does not override the other." Thus, God and your friends can forgive you for having an extramarital affair, but that will not keep you from dying of AIDS. Bankruptcy courts can forgive you all your bad debts, but that does not mean you still won't be broke, dishonored, and forced to start all over from scratch. Poor decisions can have vicious consequences.

When should one get back on the right road? Immediately. "To the wise, later is now," says Stanley, who advocates creating a financial, medical, and occupational plan B even before it's ever needed. "Current conditions are not trusty indicators of what lies ahead."

This book is not overly sophisticated, but it is rational, logical, and practical. There is common sense here, backed by biblical wisdom. Drawing on biblical stories, Stanley shares lessons of success and failure that were determined by which road was taken. – Dr. Dennis E. Hensley, www.ChristianBookPreviews.com

Andy Stanley is a pastor, communicator, author, and the founder of North Point Ministries (NPM). Launched in 1995, North Point Ministries is now one of the fastest growing and most influential Christian organizations in America. Each Sunday, over 20,000 adults attend worship services at one of NPM's three campuses in the Atlanta area. Andy's titles include Making Vision Stick, Visioneering, and The Next Generation Leader. Andy and his wife, Sandra, live in Alpharetta, Georgia, with their three children.

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Reviewed by John Samuel (India), August 07, 2009

"The Principle of the Path" is a book by Andy Stanley. The theme of the book is "How to get from where you are to where you want to be?" Each one of us have certain dreams and wishes, but in the journey of life, we have to compromise some of them. But in some corner of our heart, such a dream still persists and we move on thinking that it will remain unfulfilled. The dreams may be related to our personal lives in the area of our jobs, relationships or marriage (or anything else of your choice). The author through his book wants us to reach our destination. He clearly expresses the fact that we are not able to reach our destination not because of lack of determination but rather due to lack of direction. This may look strange to us because from time now and then we would have heard that we must possess a lot of determination to achieve our goals. Taking the example from a very simple incident in his personal life, the author stresses the fact that it's direction not determination that decides our destination. He explains that even the small decisions we take have the power to change the course of our lives. So it is important to be careful in every decision we make. We do not reach a position where we do not want to be suddenly or accidentally. We reach the point only after a series of actions we take. God gives us signals beforehand of what is in store for us if we take the path or direction we are now following. If we ignore those signals, we will have to repent in the end. The author takes the example of various Biblical characters who yielded themselves before God and asked for His advice in their lives. The book is properly researched. The very first chapter with a perfect example explains the theme of the book. After reading the book, you must have a relook into our lives and decide your future course of action accordingly.

Reviewed by Michael (Alexandria, IN), July 01, 2009

It seems obvious to us, yet our vision becomes so blurred by the very road we are on. Andy Stanley is a great oral communicator, as well as through the written media. The premise of Stanley's book, "The Principle of the Path" can be summarized in this statement from his book, “Every path leads somewhere…and the road I’m on always determines where I end up. Direction—not intention—determines our destination.” This is the very point of this book. It's not earth shaking material, in fact, it is pretty basic, yet we seem to have forgotten this principle that Andy has stated. As Stanley explains, we often have great intentions, but it is not our intentions which determine our destination, it is the direction we are heading which determines our outcomes. If you want to pray, that's great, but just having the intention will not get you there. This is a powerful book for those who are seeking direction in their lives. At times we wonder why our hopes, aspirations and goals have not been realized, and Stanley very simply would point us to look at the path we have taken, and that of course determines our destination, whether you like it or not. Stanley uses biblical images, especially the wisdom contained in Proverbs to help draw illustrations, as well as real life applications to help the reader. You will not be sorry if you read this book. This book has potential to transform a person's direction if you are willing to open yourself to follow God's path in your life.

Reviewed by Cole Phillips (Austin, TX), June 20, 2009

Have you ever found yourself at a place you didn’t want to be and wonder how you got there? Do you have hopes and dreams for your future, but you’re not sure what steps to take to get there? Using real life examples and powerful truths from God’s Word, Andy Stanley’s The Principle of the Path is jam-packed with practical advice to help you get from where you are to where you want to be. At the risk of offering TMI (spoiler warning), here’s the universal principle: Direction – not intention – determines our destination. Yes, it’s almost too simple to be true. But at its core, this single, overlooked reality has major implications for every area of our lives, including our career, relationships, finances, health, mental and spiritual life as well. Using his unique style, Stanley transparently reveals the ways this principle has impacted his life and, in doing so, cuts through the excuses that we offer for the undesirable places we sometimes find ourselves in. I loved the way Stanley tells the stories of David and Solomon to illustrate this principle. This made the heroes of our faith very identifiable and I found their ancient struggles not that different from my own. In the end, I was very convicted for some of the priorities that I have been focused on and am motivated to make personal changes so that my path leads me to the destination that God has prepared for me. The book also includes a helpful study guide that I’m looking forward to working through with my small group.

Reviewed by Phil Alderman (Barberton, OH), June 12, 2009

The Principle of the Path by Andy Stanley “Direction – not intentions, hopes, dreams, prayers, beliefs, intellect or education – determines our destination.” (p. 15) Each of our lives are on paths that lead to success or failure based on whatever direction we choose. Stanley coaches readers to make examining the paths that each of our lives is on part of everyday life, and to consider how decisions truly effect the situations in which we find ourselves. The Principle of the Path is an incredibly practical book. I wish I’d read it the summer I left for college; the wisdom of the topic, the author’s firm tone, and examples of application might have spared me a bad decision or two. Nevertheless, Stanley’s book is very helpful and well worth the read ten years later. Having said that, it’s not perfect; for example, there are some slow spots in the second half (and wasn’t the good witch in The Wizard of Oz movie from the North?. . . Check out page 10). Overall, I cannot say, for sure, that I learned something new. I can, however, say that I learned to better value and apply some things I already knew. I appreciate the investment Stanley is making his readers through The Principle of the Path. I am a member of Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Blogger Program: http://brb.thomasnelson.com

Reviewed by Bill Legere (Maine, USA), June 10, 2009

We all know that life is a journey and that journeying takes many paths. At many points there is a decision to choose one path over the other. We know that those strings of decision lead us in a particular direction. That direction makes an impact on the theme of our lives. In, "The principle of the Path", Andy Stanley makes an argument that the decisions we make and the choices in the day to day life point us down a particular path. We need to look at those decisions as a continuum. One decision does not choose our path but rather the multitude of many decisions impact where that path leads us. We all know that this is true. This is a book about making decisions to choose a particular path. There will always be events in life that challenge the path that you are on but it is important to keep the bigger picture as the goal. What is your bigger goal? What are you journeying towards? What path will you follow today? I enjoyed this book as it reminded me to think about the importance of making good decisions before you have to make decisions. It is a great reminder that life will move forward whether you are ready or not. If you are struggling to be prepared for what lies ahead then take some time to read, "The Principle of the path" as a way of thinking through the idea of choosing the right path when the opportunity is before you. This is an easy book to read as Andy Stanley continues to be a great communicator. This book should have broad appeal and is a an excellent resource for people who are at varying stages of their spiritual journey.

Reviewed by Emi Pavel (Vancouver, Canada), June 04, 2009

Thomas Nelson mi-a dat ocazia de a intra in contact cu ultima carte semnata Andy Stanley, despre directie si calauzire. Subiecte mereu la moda, nu-i asa? “The Principle of the Path” este de ajutor pentru cineva care vrea sa traiasca cu ochii deschisi. Autorul spune simplu despre faptul ca fiecare componenta a vietii (relatii, finante, munca, familie, etc.)finances, jobs, and more) este legata de drumul pe care mergem acum. Si daca merg pe un drum rau ma pot astepta la rezultate bune? Trendul actual in mediul socio-cultural este de a izola evenimentele ca neimportante si insignifiante in lumina devenirii ulterioare. Cartea lui Andy Stanley comabte aceasta idee, accentuand faptul ca fiecare actiune sau pas pe care il facem, fiecare decizie infleunteaza atingerea destinatiei pe care ne-o propunem. In loc sa ingnoram deciziile “mici” si sa gadnim ca e ceva doar temporar, putem mult mai intelept sa pretuim fiecare moment pentru ca fiecare clipa conteaza in imaginea finala. Recomand aceasta carte oricui vrea sa stie ca viata sa are o directie. Cartea te poate ajuta sa-ti raspunzi intrebarilor despre deciziile pe care le-ai facut , decizii care iti influenteaza inevitabil directia vietii. Deciziile si nu intentia iti detemina directia, ceea ce transapre din fiecare capitol.

Reviewed by Larry Anderson (Spokane, WA), May 29, 2009

This book by Andy contains a common sense but often ignored message. It is clear and compelling, worth sharing with friends and family who may need some encouragement. Great resource for life.

Reviewed by Wendy (Glastonbury, CT), May 12, 2009

There’s a question you should be asking yourself right now. Andy Stanley helps to dissect that question in his latest book, The Principle of the Path. The question: Where are you headed? Stanley describes how “direction—not intention – determines our destination.” Stanley writes about some of his life decisions and highlights stories from the line of David, depicting many real life examples that show if you desire to get to where you want to be, you need to be walking in that direction. Distractions, listening to your heart, and refusing to accept that your decisions now have ramifications for later, all influence why you sometimes stray from the once desired path. Stanley writes, “My hope is that by becoming aware of this powerful principle, you will have the wisdom to know which path to choose and the courage to stay the course.” I found myself quoting this book to my husband and friends in multiple conversations. With straightforward, honest language Stanley succeeds at challenging comfort with status quo. By means of probing questions, personal confessions, humorous accounts and Biblical wisdom, Stanley proves that where you will end up is directly influenced by the direction you are moving. I’d be quick to give this book to a loved one. The impact The Principle of the Path has upon your life is dependent upon how willing you are to be challenged, how open you are to recognizing your direction and potentially changing your direction when you are off track or even lost. Why does the direction you are headed in matter? Andy Stanley answers that with, “God cares about the direction of your life.” I’m thankful to be reviewing books such as this for Thomas Nelson Publishers.

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