Stuck in a Rut
Ashley Chesnut
Today's post is by Sheryl Turner. Sheryl and her husband J.T. have five children that God blessed them with - two by birth and three through adoption.
Stuck in a rut...a huge one...like so big that I just couldn't claw my way out. Have you ever been there? I was. My rut lasted for about a year...more than 365 days. It seemed like forever.
When I am nearing the end of a particular Bible study (usually a book of the Bible), I seek the Lord about where He wants me to go next. He confirmed to me over and over and over again that I was to be in the book of Ephesians. Yay! Great book...wonderful lessons...I was ecstatic. Fast forward two months, I was STILL in Ephesians chapter 1. Move another three months...still in Ephesians chapter 1. Six months...Ephesians chapter 1. Twelve months...Ephesians chapter 1. Get the picture? I was growing more and more frustrated about why I couldn't move on.
I cried out to God over and over again during that year. God, why am I still here? Why can't I move on? What am I not learning?
Then, on a trip to Guatemala I read verses 18-19a like I had NEVER read them before: "I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe." The eyes of my heart were immediately enlightened by the Lord God Almighty. Only He can do that. I cannot - not in my own strength. That's what I had been missing the whole time!
I was in a rut because I was relying on my own work, my own strength, my own anything. I was depending on me! God showed me the frailty of my efforts and how much I had failed. I was humbled and on my knees quickly. I needed to repent of my sinful ways and my wicked heart.
Later in Ephesians (4:20), Paul speaks to the church about how they came to "know Christ." Older versions say "learn Christ," which speaks of a knowledge of the Holy One. Hebrews 5:8 talks about Christ learning obedience. If Christ learned on earth, shouldn't we strive all the more to KNOW Him and to LEARN Him? We know but a shadow of Who He is, and we need to know Him more. Seek Him daily. Study the Word. Find older women who have known Him intimately for years. Look for younger women who you can pour into.
How about you today? Are you stuck in a rut? Are you depending on you and your strength? Trust in the Almighty today and take a good look at His strength. He will NEVER fail you, and He can be trusted. He is good and His ways are far greater than ours. Trust that today!
And strive to KNOW and LEARN Him more today - EVERY day. Spend time in His Word knowing Him and learning more about Him. That rut will quickly disappear in the light of His glory and grace!
Stuck in a rut...a huge one...like so big that I just couldn't claw my way out. Have you ever been there? I was. My rut lasted for about a year...more than 365 days. It seemed like forever.
When I am nearing the end of a particular Bible study (usually a book of the Bible), I seek the Lord about where He wants me to go next. He confirmed to me over and over and over again that I was to be in the book of Ephesians. Yay! Great book...wonderful lessons...I was ecstatic. Fast forward two months, I was STILL in Ephesians chapter 1. Move another three months...still in Ephesians chapter 1. Six months...Ephesians chapter 1. Twelve months...Ephesians chapter 1. Get the picture? I was growing more and more frustrated about why I couldn't move on.
I cried out to God over and over again during that year. God, why am I still here? Why can't I move on? What am I not learning?
Then, on a trip to Guatemala I read verses 18-19a like I had NEVER read them before: "I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe." The eyes of my heart were immediately enlightened by the Lord God Almighty. Only He can do that. I cannot - not in my own strength. That's what I had been missing the whole time!
I was in a rut because I was relying on my own work, my own strength, my own anything. I was depending on me! God showed me the frailty of my efforts and how much I had failed. I was humbled and on my knees quickly. I needed to repent of my sinful ways and my wicked heart.
Later in Ephesians (4:20), Paul speaks to the church about how they came to "know Christ." Older versions say "learn Christ," which speaks of a knowledge of the Holy One. Hebrews 5:8 talks about Christ learning obedience. If Christ learned on earth, shouldn't we strive all the more to KNOW Him and to LEARN Him? We know but a shadow of Who He is, and we need to know Him more. Seek Him daily. Study the Word. Find older women who have known Him intimately for years. Look for younger women who you can pour into.
How about you today? Are you stuck in a rut? Are you depending on you and your strength? Trust in the Almighty today and take a good look at His strength. He will NEVER fail you, and He can be trusted. He is good and His ways are far greater than ours. Trust that today!
And strive to KNOW and LEARN Him more today - EVERY day. Spend time in His Word knowing Him and learning more about Him. That rut will quickly disappear in the light of His glory and grace!
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