Follow the Rut

 

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

This last week has been filled with emotional, and celebratory, moments as we’ve said our goodbyes to my mother - also a wife, sister, Grammy, friend, aunt, and cousin. It’s amazing how many lives are somehow touched by one human being.  We each make our own mark upon this old world, don’t we? 

During visitation time, a precious, elderly lady came to offer her condolences. As she talked to my Dad, she shared a story about how she had driven home from a trip recently in four inches of snow. She made this statement and it caught my attention immediately: 

“I tried to stay in the ruts someone else had already made.”

My ears perked up as I began to think about those who have gone ahead of us, blazing the trails, fighting the good fight, and winning daily battles. 

We haven’t gotten to where we are today without someone going before us. 

I realize it’s a simple thought, but so profound. 

Our parents, and grandparents. Their parents and grandparents, and so forth. We’re where we are today because they went before us. They learned and taught us from their experiences. It’s sort of like they left a trail, or a rut, for us to come along behind them safely. I’m not saying we won’t make our own mistakes, but if we can only follow a good rut. 

A dear lady’s simple story about getting safely home because she had followed closely to a trail someone else had left for her, reminded me that we’ve been left a trail too. Not only that though, we’re also leaving a trail for someone to follow. What a sobering thought! We might not think about it often, but someone is watching us. Depending upon us. What kind of trail are we leaving behind for them?

Jesus came to this earth to show us the way. To make a way! 

He spent His time on earth teaching and forging the trails we should follow in. He is our ultimate example; however, He has placed strategic people in our lives to help be certain we arrive home safely. Who are those people for you? If you don’t know, maybe you should ask the Lord to show you and lead you to them. 

God doesn’t want us doing our own thing or pioneering a new trail. His desire is for us to follow His plan, in righteous and holy paths, and in the footsteps of those He’s placed on the paths before us. 

A rut may sound like a bad thing initially, and could possibly be; but in this context, let’s stay on the path of those who have forged a path for us. Let’s make it home together! Follow the rut.

“Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.” Proverbs 4:26-27