Outsmarting a Rut
This week, I’ve been thinking a lot about ruts. A “rut” can be defined as a habit or pattern of behavior that has become dull and unproductive but is hard to change. The word rut can be traced back to the 16th century in which carriage wheels, after following repeated tracks, have cut out a narrow track that wears down the ground. Time after time, those same tracks would be used by other carriages. Though useful to follow the same carriage tracks sometimes, trouble would ensue if the carriage were to attempt a turn away from the rut. In fact, it would literally have to break the existing track in order to move in a new direction.
I am a Star Trek fan, so if you are not, please forgive the visuals I am about to provide. In numerous circumstances, the starship in Star Trek became trapped in varied space phenomena. The ship would be caught in incredibly strong gravitation currents, power-draining asteroid fields, at the edge of black holes, etc. Now imagine for a moment…would the ship ever break free if the crew tried ineffective things? For instance, could the crew try synchronously jumping up and down to free the ship? Would the ship break free if everyone wished it free? Could everyone bang their fists on the computer to make the ship go? I think you get where I’m going with this. Each and every time, the crew had to outsmart the rut in which they were trapped. This took planning and then coordinated action.
The same is true of us. We can get ourselves stuck in ruts, and we have to outsmart it to escape. We start a certain habit or pattern by choice, so we have a choice to get out. It won’t be easy. It will take a planned, coordinated effort on your part to disrupt the rut and reach the desired change. Some of you may have been in the same rut for years. You may look around and not see a clear way to break the path, but do not give up; you will find it. The most important step you can take is just deciding to start.
Philippians 4:13 - “For I can do all things, through Christ, who strengthens me.”
Isaiah 40:29 – “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”
Jeremiah 29:11 – ‘“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”’