THE RUT RIDERS!

Sunday’s Monday

I was in a recent Band of Brother’s meeting when one of our pastors gave a remark that I had never heard but was instantly hooked on when he said it. “A rut is nothing more than a grave with both ends knocked out!” Pastor Tom Early. This is now a valuable nugget in my spiritual armory to defeat Satan. This statement has such valuable ramifications when presented as a tool for the betterment of life in every area. Oxford Languages describes rut 1 as, a long deep track made by the repeated passage of the wheels of vehicles and rut 2 as, a habit or pattern of behavior that has become dull and unproductive but is hard to change. Any way you explain this being in a rut cannot be a good thing. The first thought that comes to my mind is Albert Einstein’s common-sense definition of insanity, doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.” As stated, a rut is nothing more than a groove cut into the soil which continually gets deeper with each use. I remember as a child my dad driving on dirt roads that had ruts deep enough that the car would literally steer itself, and so goes life with our patterns and habits. Who’s in control?

Sadly, that is where many of us live today! We have customs, habits, behaviors, patterns that are old, worn, and comfortable which are driving our every thought, action, and belief. Many are in a proverbial rut, and, like it! After all, a rut life is effortless, comfortable, and routine however it is also meaningless as no thought is required, low quality as life becomes mundane, and debilitating with a crippling sense of accomplishment. As with most all of God’s creations we humans are easily swayed to choose the path of least resistance not unlike rivers, storms, etcetera. In doing so, many will find themselves converting from God’s Holy Word to a more flexible human-friendly form of biblical guidance. I would like to point out a very easy and effective way to tell if you’re in a rut. Ask yourself, how’s my passion for following Jesus, am I enjoying life, do I find joy in helping others, am I living in today’s grace and there are many more. Our passion should be renewed every morning through listening to what God has to say, after all, He listens to us moan and groan all day. Is life what you expect it to be, if not you and God change it. Is my heart still into helping those in need, ask God to create in you a new heart? Today’s grace is a wonderful gift being squandered on worries of tomorrow and regrets of yesterday. Wake up! Yesterday is gone, there are no do-overs, get over it, make things right where God tells you to and let it go. We love worrying about tomorrow because it occupies our time and that’s all. Worry has never resolved anything, give it to God and get on with life! We carry so much useless garbage around that no one can save us but Jesus. Dump the junk on Jesus! I love what is written in Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV), 18 “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. 19 Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. “New!” Everything is fresh and renewed in God’s Kingdom!

Rut riders live within the words of Isaiah 43:22 (ESV), “Yet you did not call upon me, O Jacob.

but you have been weary of me, O Israel! God is saying Israel has grown tired of Him which is true of many Christians today as their just going through the motions, following habits, customs, and self, trying to relieve the uneasiness of conviction from The Holy Spirit. The rut is doing what Satan intends, it’s keeping you from enjoying the pleasures, contentment of this life and reaching a better understanding of God. It may help you to better visualize what’s being said if you’ll acknowledge, one day the ends of your rut will be filled, turning it into a grave. Study on this (if you will), Isaiah 43:24 (ESV), You have not bought me sweet cane with money or satisfied me with the fat of your sacrifices. But you have burdened me with your sins; you have wearied me with your iniquities. We have absolutely no concept of how we break God’s heart when we choose to operate outside His will. Many at best offer Him a half-hearted return for His love, protection, and provision. Fact, people are renowned for crying out to God, to pull them from the rut just before it becomes a grave! My Pastor calls this spiritual fire insurance, people pay one premium (say the prayer) and then expect full coverage, saving them from the fires of hell. Truth is, many will not enter the gates of Heaven.

I pray we each abide with Isaiah 43:26 (ESV), 26 Put me in remembrance; let us argue together; set forth your case, that you may be proved right. May we remember God and communicate (talk, listen, argue) with Him every day, asking how we can better serve Him. Inviting Him to take charge of the day and lead, guide, and direct us into whatever pleases Him. God, teach us to live, outside of the rut. Amen

HAVE A BLESSED WEEK BY BEING A BLESSING TO OTHERS!

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