“Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25. All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 27. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27a
It is so easy to get stuck in a rut. A habit starts there or a habit starts there and before you know it–you are stuck in a rut. Many years ago, when people were moving West, most of the vehicles were wagons and most of the roads consisted only of wagon tracks. These tough roads were very hard to navigate, particularly because wagons would often get stuck in the wheel ruts that had been created by other wagons, and getting out of those deep ruts could be extremely difficult. One wagon trail even had a sign that read: AVOID THIS RUT OR YOU WILL BE IN IT FOR THE NEXT 25 MILES.
All of us would admit we’ve been stuck in a rut at some point in our lives. But how can we know if the rut we’re in is a good rut or a bad rut? In other words, how do we make sure the habits we’re building are life-giving instead of life-draining? The key to making sure your habits are healthy ones is to ask the simple question: “Is God glorified by this?” If we look at our habitual behavior and see that it brings honor to only ourselves, then that’s a rut God wants us to leave behind!
Someone once said that a rut is nothing more than a grave with the ends knocked out. So remember this–it’s never too late to start developing healthy habits. We should constantly examine your daily routine and refine it to be one that brings the most glory to God. When you stay out of the unhealthy ruts, you’ll experience the fullness of joy God has for you! Need a little help to get out of that rut? God’s just waiting for a call–you can trust Him. He’s got this! Bro. Dewayne
Grits with Grace 