Stuck in a Rut or Hole?
Has it felt that way for you? You’ve tried to get out of the rut or the hole, but it seems Gorilla glue has you stuck in a place that has paralyzed your creativity, motivation and determination. A while ago, I posted a photo of a man slumped-in-his-chair with a drink in hand. The tagline said, “Many people die at 25 and aren’t buried until they’re 75.” I think that speaks to those who are stuck in mediocrity and have given up pursuing their dreams and visions. They are held by an imaginary ball and chain of defeat and have essentially “died” to a life of potential and possibilities.
On the other hand, there are those relentless, selfless, inspiring, and undaunted people who seem to have springs on the bottom of their shoes that propel them out of the ruts and holes. They rescue themselves as they refuse to stay in the rut or hole AND they rescue others by building them up, encouraging them, and loving them through the ruts-and-holes seasons of their lives.
Remember Joseph in the Bible (epic story in Genesis chapters 37, 39-50) who was sold by his brothers for twenty pieces of silver? If ever there was someone who was stuck in a place of defeat – it was Joseph who was thrown into a literal hole. Perhaps you are stuck in a similar hole of poor health, financial pressure, family conflicts or boredom. Joseph and you are not alone.
As easy as it may have been to be angry at God, Joseph stayed close to Him and let the experience teach him important lessons about humility and trust in the Lord. By the time he and his brothers reconciled many years later, a wiser and holier Joseph declared to his brothers:, “Even though you meant harm to me, God meant it for good.“ (Genesis 50:20). Not only did Joseph grow closer to God, but his ordeal paved the way for his entire family to be saved from famine.
It’s good to try to find a way out of our ruts and our holes. But there may also be times when trying to climb out is ether fruitless or ineffective. Sometimes we just have to acknowledge that the situation is out of our control, surrender it to the Lord, and wait to see how he helps us. Maybe God is using that situation to teach us patience, perseverance, and forgiveness. Maybe He’ll use our witness of faith to soften somebody else’s heart. Or maybe he has an even better solution waiting for us a little further down the road. Whatever the case, we can always trust that God’s plan is bigger than ours ever will be.
Joseph’s story shows us that God can bring good out of any situation. He can hep us grow in love and grace even when we feel we are in a pit of despair. Feeing stuck is scary, but if we believe that we are not alone in that hole, if we can trust that God is there accompanying us and helping us grow – that hole can lead us into a place of destiny and purpose like God planned for us all along. I’ve known ruts and holes. I’ve also known my loving God and how He raises us up out of the ruts and holes “on eagle’s wings, bears us on the breath of dawn, makes us to shine like the sun, and holds us in the palm of His hand.”