Stuck in a Rut?

It can be easy to get stuck in the ruts as you go through life. You end up playing it safe and moving along in life simply following what is expected from someone of your age, education level, job, faith etc.

There is something comfortable and familiar with the ruts. You might not know where the ruts are leading or if you know you might not like where they lead. However, the effort needed to jump out seems too costly to try anything different. This is true in work, relationships, habits, and so many other things.

Our ruts can come from the mis-guidance of parents or teachers in childhood or from bosses and mentors on the job. Or our own baggage, fear, and love of comfort help us create our own ruts. The culture and history of our family, employer, or culture come pre-set with their own ruts.

Some of our ruts are bad habits. Some are relational dysfunction. Some are simply playing an expected role in a job and not speaking up or pushing for change or offering the risky idea. Other ruts are cultural where we feel boxed in and confined by expectation or comparison.

Lately, I have noticed some ruts in my life. Not big ones. Not bad ones. But ruts nonetheless. And I have felt a stirring to push out into fresh pasture, to try something new. Nothing crazy, just something different and daring.

The ideas that have rolled around my head for years need to see the light of day. The impulse to develop something new, to bring about change, to be a part of creating something different has grown. Long-deliberated plans need to start moving. Habits that once seemed innocuous have become ruts as life has changed. Things that have been ignored in relationships have done the same thing.

The problem is that pushing for change feels risky. Mustering the energy and effort to jump the ruts seems impossible. Having grown used to my "ruts" has left me with "initiative atrophy".

Trying to get out of my own ruts has left me looking for answers on "how-to". I want a map for what to do or where to go. The only thing is that there aren't usually maps for the places outside of the ruts. I, like so many others, could end up staying in the ruts simply because I can't find a good map.

And then this morning I read this from Seth Godin:

"Please stop waiting for a map. We reward those who draw maps, not those who follow them."

Perhaps waiting for a map isn't wise. Perhaps wise or prudent or safe or predictable isn't what is needed. Perhaps bold and adventurous and uncertain and a willingness to stand alone are what is needed. Be the one to discover and lead.

For me, as a husband, father, and leader it would be very costly to wait for a "map" while God is calling for something new. I want to take those first steps even if they are baby steps.

Take the first step. In humility and faith and with determination to stay out of the ruts.