Sometimes, we get into ruts with our lives. We do the same old things over and over. We become creatures of habit. Breaking out of our routines can be fun and refreshing. So why not try something new for a change. Go out to eat at a different place. Do something different for recreation. Go to a different place on vacation.

Watch out for those ruts!

We can get in to a rut in our churches too if we aren't careful. The Bible talks about doing "new things" (Isaiah 43:19) and singing "new songs" (Psalm 149:1). A few weeks ago, I felt like the Lord was leading me to do something I'd never done before in one of our services. Right in the middle of the service, I asked for volunteers to go out visiting. We had 8 volunteers that went out and brought back great reports of their visits. I have heard of other churches doing things that they "had never done before." Be open to God's leading in your church. He may give you some fresh new ideas that open up whole new opportunities for ministry.

Our personal walk with the Lord can get in to a rut, too. The Lord is so wonderfully creative. Pray and see if He might be showing you something new to do, for Him or with Him. Pray in a different place or in a different way. Read a new Christian book. Start a Bible study with a friend or family member. The Lord may show you a new ministry, so try different opportunities that the Lord makes available to you.

And ... watch out for those ruts! We have a tendency to just do the same things over and over. That's fine if the Lord is leading us that way. However, pray, watch and listen, in case He wants to show you something "new." God's steadfast love is providing us new mercies, and new opportunities, every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).

 

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© 2008 Mike Barres.

Title: "Ruts"
Author: Mike Barres
Publication Date: July 06, 2008

The Way of the Heart: Desert Spirituality and Contemporary Ministry by Henri Nouwen The modern classic that interweaves the solitude, silence, and prayer of the fourth and fifth century Egyptian Desert Fathers and Mothers with our contemporary search for an authentic spirituality.

Mike is a pastor and writer for a number of online publications.

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