Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved road trips! Hoping in the car and driving across the United States will always be one of my favorite things to do. Sometimes, when driving on a road that seems to go on forever, in and around mountains or deserts, I find myself wondering about the pioneers that came across this same patch of earth on their way to a new life in the West over 150 years ago.
I imagine the first to cross with their horses, ox and wagons found nothing but high grasses and rocks and unknown creeks and rivers they had to make their way across.There was no path. It would have been brutal and hard with lots of unknowns. But I’m sure the rewards were amazing as they saw new vistas and discovered brand new places to call home along with the knowledge that they were making the way easier for the many who would follow.
Those who came later were met with a very different traveling scenario. Following someone else who has already been the direction you are going is much easier than being the first to blaze the trail. There is a path to follow; a place where the high grasses have already been trampled down a bit so you can know if you’re heading in the right direction.
A path will lead you to the more narrow, easier location for crossing the river. It will take you through the side of the mountain that may not have as steep a drop off and you can know your travel will be safe. Bottom line, having a path to follow ensures you get where you want to go. It doesn’t take away from the beauty and adventure; it’s like a gift that has been left by the one who went before you.
But as time continues and more and more folks travel that same way, something starts to happen. The smooth, safe path starts to get ruts in it. Years of wagons and people passing the same exact way has created ruts in that once smooth path. It may feel safe, knowing that so many have traveled this same way and made it to the other side. It’s probably more comfortable and the ruts make the path feel familiar, even out in the middle of nowhere in a strange place.
Do you want to know the trouble with ruts? Yes, they will get you from point A to point B; yes, you will probably be successful because you’re going the same exact path as many before you. But what if you see something just over the hill that you’d like to get a better look at? What if there is an amazing view from a mountain top that the rut your wheels are so comfortably sitting in makes it nearly impossible to pull out of and see? What if the ruts in that path have made it no longer useful; a new path was created to help travelers stay out of the dangerous ruts and get them safely to their destination?
You may be saying, “Deanna, what’s your point already?” I’m so glad you asked! Here’s my question to you: are you on a path or in a rut? Spiritually, emotionally, metaphorically, are you on a path with just enough of the high grass trampled down so you know the general direction you need to go, with the freedom to choose your ultimate destination, or are you in a rut, stuck in the mire of the comfortable, knowing there is something so much better out there but you can’t get to it because of the deep ruts you’ve dug yourself into?
Thinking the same thoughts over and over – good or bad – wears a path through our brain. The bad thoughts – “I’m not good enough” “I’m not smart enough” “If I had more money, or a better job, or fancier friends, I’d be happier” – take us down a path I don’t believe God intended for us to take. Telling ourselves these things over and over will create a path that quickly becomes one filled with the ruts of negativity. If we do it long enough, that rut gets harder and harder to pull out of. We can find ourselves stuck in a pretty dark hole of our own making.
On the other hand, when I spend time in my Bible reading the stories God provided as examples of how to live a life free of anxiety and negative thoughts – “I am created in the image of God” “Jesus died for me because He loved me that much” “God knows and understands everything I’m going through and will never leave me to face my giants alone” – takes me down a better path, one without ruts, but a clear one that leads me through the hard places because I can see Jesus’ footsteps just ahead of my own.
I heard this really wonderful statement the other day: “Be mindful about making our mind full”
In other words, as I go about my day, filling my mind with thoughts, I need to ask, what am I filling my mind with? Am I slipping down the rut-filled rabbit hole of thoughts that tell me I’m not worthy of the incredible grace God has given me so freely? Or am I focusing on the good and praiseworthy? God has so much more in store for us than just sitting in that hole all by ourselves. He created us out of love and His desire is that we follow the path He has set for us.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. – Philippians 4:8-9
Being reminded of what is true, especially when we’ve allowed our brain to suck us down into a deep dark hole, is like grabbing onto a rescue rope that’s been let down to pull us out of that dark place. And holding on to the other side of that line is Jesus, the One who forged the path for us at the very beginning by showing us the safe, best way forward!
