Stuck in a rut?

Yep, we've all felt that way at one time or another. I get that way whenever I don't study my Bible for a few days.

What you are feeling is an emptiness, like you are sitting on the edge of a cliff.

Take this promptly to God. Seriously, don't stop to smell the coffee and don't do anything until you've spent time on God's lap or at His feet. Ruts are dangerous. Satan just loves it when Christians suddenly look up and the sides of the rut are higher than their heads.

Galatians 5:16 I say then, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
That word desire means there is something that is longed for, something in particular and it is on the verge of unleashing toward anything that will fill that void or satisfy that hunger.

What void? What hunger you ask. When a person feels unsatisfied, there is a hankering to eat more or drink more to fill the void. We've all been on diets and felt that desire to eat everything in the fridge. That is exactly what Paul is talking about. He goes on to list some things that the flesh desires. This is not in anyway to suggest that you would do this... it is a warning that this is what could happen. Beth Moore coined the phrase in her book, "Godly People Can Do Ungodly Things". It's very true. When we are constantly expecting that body-jarring emotion when we go to church or when we hear that favorite song, we can make our mind numb to the more subtle nuances of God's blessings. There is so much more to God than a spectacular high. Those kinds of highs are more like dessert and precious few people can eat dessert before the main meal and still do the main course justice.

Don't think that you will always be in the fiery chariot. Our emotions play tricks on us and Satan uses these to influence us into making choices that are ungodly. Try, instead, to focus on your love for God.

Have you ever been in love? That first flush of goose-pimply, heart fluttering adrenalin rush when ever you even think of the person much less be in their presence. When all you want to do is just please that person with whatever means you can devise, use or imagine. Then you settle into a comfortable relationship and your love grows deeper and greater than the day before. This is the time that God is most pleasing to His children and is pleased by His children.

That is the kind of emotion and pleasure that survives these little flat places in our lives. It is the time that God gives us for inner rest. Who wants to always be climbing to the mountain top or tumbling down to the valley all the time? I don't... it is what makes life exciting, granted, but I also want that quiet time to focus on just Him and me. We all need that quiet time with Him so our love and our relationship can blossom. Use the time wisely by talking to Him about everything and pour out your thoughts, your feelings, your heart to God so that He can fill you up with His Spirit and the fruit will come pouring out of you. When you get to this point, there are no more ruts. Oh, you’ll find the occasional pot hole, but you won’t be stuck in a rut up to your neck again.

Psalm 4:1 Answer me when I call, God of my righteousness. You gave room to me in distress. Have mercy on me and hear my prayer. 2 O sons of men, until when shall My glory be for a reproach? Will you love vanity? Will you run after a lie? Selah. 3 But know that Jehovah has set apart the godly for Himself. Jehovah hears when I call to Him. 4 Tremble and do not sin. Speak within your own heart on your bed and be still. Selah. 5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness and trust in Jehovah. 6 Many are saying, Who will make us see any good? O Jehovah, lift up the light of Your face on us. 7 You have put gladness in my heart, more than in the time their grain and their wine grew. 8 I will both lie down in peace and sleep; for You alone, O Jehovah, make me dwell in safety.