Rutted Paths

(photo credit Adam Cohn, flickr)
We are such creatures of habit! We are so quick to go to that place we always do – you know, that ‘comfort zone’. When things go wrong in our lives, we revert back to that place we know. Work with me here. It’s not ‘comfortable’ to say the least - we probably even hate that we go back there again & again, but it’s the place we know – it’s familiar - thus making it our comfort zone.

Well, as I asked my friend many months ago, “What happens when you walk a certain path over and over and over again?” She looked rather perplexed & I told her simply what the Lord knew she needed to hear. “You get stuck in the rut that is created by traveling the same path so consistently. You don’t necessarily want to be there, but because it’s what you’ve always known to do and return to, you travel the familiar, and then get stuck there.” Ding-ding-ding…wow the light put off by that bulb shining above her head!

Hey we all do it … go to that comfort zone that leads to a rutted path. It could be food or alcohol or bad relationships, or as in my case, hiding behind walls I build around my heart to protect myself from getting hurt. But, in doing so, I create an impenetrable fortress that doesn’t allow anyone in. But that closes me off from being able to give too. And there you find yourself … stuck again!

So, I submit that when we face a trial in our lives, we do as Scripture directs us to follow, instead of following our old familiar, rutted path.

Jeremiah 6:16 ~ This is what the LORD says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.
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Psalm 119:105 ~ Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
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Matthew 11:28-29 ~ Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
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Isaiah 48:17-18 ~ This is what the LORD says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea.
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John 14:27 ~ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

If we will but stand still & ask & follow where HE lights the way, we will find peace! Seems pretty straight forward to me…and it sure saves a lot of heartache!!! And for the part that still hurts...ask Him to come fill the black hole in you that threatens to suck everything else into it. His light & love will fill that empty space in you & will shine out of you to the rest of the hurting world...even if it's just to a friend that lives up the street.

(Oh yeah, and my friend with the lightbulb? Well, she listened (to me) & did what Scriptures told her to do & listened to what HE told her...and she has the most peace she's ever known! That's a beautiful thing to witness! Isn't it wonderful when God uses you to help others? There just is NO feeling on earth like that!!)