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In a Rut?
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Don't miss the song at the end of the blog text below.
Rut is a habit or pattern of behavior that has become dull and unproductive but is hard to change.
Have you been there? Or maybe currently there right now? Me too.
I've personally been in a repetitive rut and the best way to describe it is like this,
I’ve fallen into a deep hole. One too deep to get out of, yet just wide enough to make me think I can. So I get a running start, dig my heels in and claw until my nails are soiled permanently. Completely out of breath and feeling absolutely defeated, I peer towards the top of the hole. The hole I once attempted to conquer and instead now find myself sulking to the ground in a helpless heap.
I've asked myself, why would anyone fall into such a hole? It clearly could have been spotted from a ways away, right? Was I just not paying attention? Was it covered to disguise the hole? Whatever the reason, I begin to spiral.
What I envisioned isn't actually the setting of my rut, instead it looks more like this,
Typical day, routine schedule, nothing out of the ordinary, yet my heart and mind seem to be at odds with one another. Pssssh, not a big deal, it should be fine, right? Then why in the world is it throwing me off entirely?
I know what you’re thinking, it sounds silly, but the truth of the matter is, this has been recurring in my life for far too long. The vision of the deep hole has never changed, but my approach to getting out has. And here’s what I've been learning.
"You become more effective when you become more selective." (Rick Warren)
I discovered something, actually Someone that reminded me that I am not alone in that hole. I was too overwhelmed by the obstacles that I missed The Opportunity to truly be free from this rut.
Greg Laurie shared a beautiful message (‘It’s Time for Another Jesus Revolution’) where he shared out of Revelation 3:7-8:
“To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.”
He said God provides us with both a door and a key. Their symbolic message is astounding.
Door = Opportunity
Key = Authority
“...because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.”
Something I was reminded of through this message was there are doors opened for us all the time. And we fail to take that step through them. Why? Because in most cases, we are afraid of what is on the other side. The daunting truth of the unknown terrifies us to the point of rejection. Rejection of the initial invitation and ultimately rejection of the opportunity placed before us.
Recently I discovered in my ‘routine ruts’ that The Opportunity to get out of the rut (go through the door, or however you want to look at it) is the Key. The Authority that was given directly from Jesus Christ to us is ours to use at any moment. It’s not just an access pass to certain areas of authority, but for ALL authority!
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Matthew 28:18
Another amazing reveal of this truth is Ephesians 1:19-21
“...and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.”
We’ve been freely given the key to every door of opportunity placed before us. And knowing this truth makes the ruts we face in this life much easier to climb out of. It may not always stop us from falling in, but it surely diminishes the damage done while inside.
One of the most beautiful things I’ve learned in seeing Christ as The Opportunity in these situations is the other people He has graciously placed around me.
Warriors, to fight alongside me to remind me of the Truth that's unwavering even when I may be.
God says countless times throughout the Bible that He will never leave us. And even though that reminder is repeated and reaffirmed, if my eyes aren’t fixed on Him, my heart struggles to truly believe that. Which is why rallying the warriors in my darkest moments has become such a crucial part of the battle.
Christ could have done life alone while He walked this earth, yet he chose to be in unity with others. And one of His greatest blessings to us, is allowing us to experience such unity with other brothers and sisters in Christ.
Next time you’re in a rut, feeling alone in a dark secluded place, with little to no strength, rally the warriors to come alongside you. Be looking for a door so you can use the key bestowed upon you to not only get out of the rut, but run with endurance the race marked out for you!
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
-Hebrews 12:1
Thank you for your inspiring post Candance.
Thank you Deborah!