Getting in the rut (part 2)

As I reread this journal entry I was amazed at how appropriate it was for my present situation. Today, just as that day, I am feeling sick and wanting to sleep rather than work. I believe I felt the gentle prodding of the Spirit telling me to read this just before it is time to leave for work.  My body feels heavy and I want to run from life and all that I am facing. Yet I will press on because I know the one leading me will get me to my final destination. Therefore, I refuse to bail out, or in keeping with the present metaphor, go astray.

October 3, 2015

Worship: I Will Follow You by Chris Tomlin

"I Will Follow"

Where you go, I'll go
Where you stay, I'll stay
When you move, I'll move
I will follow...

All your ways are good
All your ways are sure
I will trust in you alone
Higher than my sight
High above my life
I will trust in you alone (trust in you alone)

Where you go, I'll go
Where you stay, I'll stay
When you move, I'll move
I will follow you
Who you love, I'll love
How you serve I'll serve
If this life I lose, I will follow you, yeah
I will follow you, yeah

Light unto the world
Light unto my life
I will live for you alone
You're the one I seek
Knowing I will find
All I need in you alone, in you alone

Where you go, I'll go
Where you stay, I'll stay
When you move, I'll move
I will follow you
Who you love, I'll love
How you serve, I'll serve
If this life I lose, I will follow you
I will follow you, yeah

In you there's life everlasting
In you there's freedom for my soul
In you there's joy, unending joy
And I will follow

Where you go, I'll go
Where you stay, I'll stay
When you move, I'll move
I will follow
Who you love, I'll love
How you serve, I'll serve
If this life I lose, I will follow

Where you go, I'll go
Where you stay, I'll stay
When you move, I'll move
I will follow you
Who you love, I'll love
How you serve, I'll serve
If this life I lose, I will follow you, yeah
I will follow you, yeah
I will follow you, yeah
I will follow you, yeah

A-Z Lyrics CHRIS TOMLIN Lyrics

https://youtu.be/1ohvhmGSfxI

Witness: I could go several directions today. First, I am not feeling well. My neck is stiff and I feel nauseous and tired. What’s new. I am tempted to call out sick, but that would not be acting responsibly. I believe I can make it once I get going at work. Calling out at the last minute is not fair to the company nor my coworkers. Secondly, it was a joy to help a brother move today. I was tired of course, but God gave me the strength to stay and help. Perhaps, the stiff neck came from that and the shipment I put up last night. Nevertheless, I bear it gladly, if I can help a brother in need. Thirdly, I was thinking about how long it was taking to get through Psalms. I felt guilty because so many times I run out of time for the Word. God, however, comforted me with an entry from an earlier day which said:

Every day I chide myself on the lack of time I have. The sense of rush. Perhaps if I were faster on the keyboard, it might be a little different. But the Lord has seemed to say: “Slow down, there is no rush. We will get through this. You have all time in the world, till I call you home. So relax, I’ve got your life under my control”. Thank you Lord.

So I press on, not being slothful with my time, yet relaxing and listening to what my Shepherd has to say to me.

WORD:

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

2He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4Even though I walk through the darkest valley,a I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

It’s been said, “a rut is just a grave with the ends knocked out”. For many of us, this can describe life as we know it. We are addicted to something as serious as drugs or porn or to something seeming innocuous as ice cream (Mint Chocolate Chip please) or skittles (I don’t particularly care for them… Twizzlers, Hot Tamales, or Jujyfruits? Now you’re talking!). Maybe it’s not so much an addiction, but a lack of focus or dedication to anything ― a spiritual or physical inertia, if you will. You have an “I just don’t feel like it” attitude, much like I had about going to work tonight. This can be very debilitating and may be a sign of on setting depression. Yet, if we consider all that our Shepherd provides for us, and trust that He is the good Shepherd even when life is hard, then perhaps the addictions and powerlessness we have may fade in praise and trust and reliance on Him who leads, feeds, quenches, and guides us in life.

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

O soul, are you weary and troubled?

No light in the darkness you see?

There's a light for a look at the Savior,

And life more abundant and free!

Refrain

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

In the light of His glory and grace.

Through death into life everlasting

He passed, and we follow Him there;

Over us sin no more hath dominion-

For more than conquerors we are!

Refrain

His Word shall not fail you-He promised;

Believe Him, and all will be well:

Then go to a world that is dying,

His perfect salvation to tell!

Refrain

(from Biblesoft Hymnal, PC Study Bible electronic database Copyright © 2003-2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Perhaps, if we change the metaphor here. Instead of saying there is a rut that our Shepherd guides us through, (that is, the right and well-worn “path of righteousness”) let us look at it as a groove.

“Getting into the groove of things”.

“Getting my groove back”.

We see these as more positive sayings than being in a rut. So my exhortation to you and to myself is to get in the “groove” or “right path” that Our Shepherd guides us through. It may have some rough patches as well as pleasant ones, but it is the path that leads to life. It is a narrow groove, but wide enough for all God’ sheep to pass through. Heed this warning. Get out of this “groove” and you will fall into a “rut”!