Digging Out

I heard today that this month is the 9th snowiest January of all time in our area and we're "digging out" again.  While contemplating more shoveling, (I know, I should get a snow blower, but I like the exercise), I began to think about how we as Christians sometimes feel buried.  The list of reasons is endless.  Some are much more serious than others, but more often than not, they end up sending us into what's often called a spiritual rut. 
 
What are our options when we get buried in a snowstorm?  We can put it off until later, or hope it warms up quickly and melts.  Those usually aren't good options in our area and it typically ends up making navigation of our walks and drives more difficult, including an occasional slip on the ice, or a car that drops off into the yard, or worse yet, a ditch.  We can hope our neighbor with the snow blower comes over, or better yet, pray that he comes over.  We can get out and clear our own drive, which for many, leads us to the drives of our neighbors.  We can ask for help from a neighbor or friend, or call a snow removal service.  Sometimes we have to know our limits and realize that the best way for us to get out of this snow emergency is by seeking assistance. 
 
I had a hard time coming up with a topic for this entry and then realized that I was in a funk of my own, a real spiritual rut.  When I came to that realization, it was obvious what I had to write about. So, how do we get out of these spiritual ruts?  Believe it or not, shoveling snow was my inspiration!  Here are a few options I came up with.   
 
Option 1.  Just ignore it and it will go away, especially when there's hot chocolate available and a warm fire.  How about put it off and deal with it later, nothing like a good nap, right?  These wouldn't be my recommended options of choice.  We could easily end up flat on our back, sort of like slipping on unattended ice and now being engulfed by a problem that we could have rid our self of if we had acted.  Worse yet, our procrastination could allow us to fall deeper into that rut, like a car falling off of a heavily snow covered drive. 
 
Option 2.  We can pray.  Now why don't we think of that more often?  Go to God in prayer and ask Him to send us whatever He knows is necessary to blow all that negativity right out of our lives, remove the massive drift of trials and tribulations that surround us and provide us with a clear and safe path. 
 
Option 3.  We can pick ourselves up by our snow boot straps, get our hands a little blistered and get to work getting ourselves out of that rut.  One of the best ways I have found to do that is in service to others.  It's sort of like clearing the drive of your neighbor after you finish yours.  In service to another, we become less focused on our own problems and more focused on helping others and before you know it, your stepping out of what was once a deep, cavernous hole.  In a world of quick fixes and instant gratification, this is probably the best option.  Results are typically immediate!!
 
Option 4.  We can ask for help from others, whether that be a friend, family member, minister or mentor.  It's one of the hardest things for us to do as humans, ask for help, but in many instances, it can be the best way for us to clear that blizzard of difficulties holding us back from moving forward.  We need others to help us find our way when we're blinded by the trials and tribulations that seem impossible to eradicate.  And in many instances, those humbly and selflessly serving us in our time of need often benefit more from it than we do.  
 
For the rest of our lives, there will always be storms, both inside and outside of us.  How we deal with them and how we help others to deal with them will speak volumes to our faith, not only in Christ our Lord, but in each other. 

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