If we repeat tomorrow
what we did today,
are we moving forward
or simply stuck —
where we stay?
On the sidewalk of a path near my home, there are ruts in the concrete -- deep cuts on a narrow passage. They lie in wait as I ride my bike in the early hours of the morning. I always cautiously approach, worried that my wheel will fall into the set-in-stone tracks and determine where I’m gonna go.
That’s what ruts are. Places in our lives, beaten and worn, trampled upon, blindly followed - without much thought — to create pathways we easily slip and fall into.
On the mornings I ride toward this section of the trail, I steady myself and prepare for either sliding into the cracks or bumping right over. If I am lackadaisical in the approach, it is easy to find myself locked into the premade tracks, forcing me to go in their flow or, worse, to be caught unaware, overcompensating for the jolt, and, well, I don’t want to go there.
I don’t realize where my ruts lie or when I made them, but once embedded, they’re embedded. Often just deep enough to control and determine which way I will roll if I do not intentionally navigate and manage. It’s easy just to let things fall where they have always fallen. Footsteps, butts in a chair or couch—tracks in concrete—all weathered by the comfort of doing the same thing over and over.
I wish all of my ruts were as viewable and avoidable as the ones I find on my bike. I wish I could see them coming. Be reminded to be careful and intentional, so as not to fall into their trap and instead, avoid, manage, and coast right by — leaving them far behind — accomplishing my ten-mile ride; not being stuck on some roadside.
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Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Have a great week. Be kind. Look for those who are kind. Together, stay kind. I’m back next Wednesday with our weekly morning pondering.
Instigating ponder for me… Ruts, patterns, routines, can be good, bad or indifferent- try to avoid those created by outside influences, let them be your own choices and put effort into choosing wisely 🤔🙂 … wonder what mine are probably all all nine combinations. 🤔🤔
👍😘😘