Ruts in the Driveway

by Kelly Knowlden

For those people who contend with dirt driveways, spring becomes one of those times when an evaluation of its condition is necessary. After driving all year in the same spot, the tire tracks are packed firmer creating a hump in the middle and along the sides. To level this off requires a great deal of work or a big machine.

Overcoming habits of sin - those well-grooved, hard-packed paths of response - is equally hard and requires “Big machinery” as well. When my children do not obey, my frustration level is high and I go into “rant mode.’ When I am late and my children seem not to be concerned about hurrying, I use short, caustic remarks. When my children say the most impossibly-stupid things that are not true, my response is to roll my eyes toward heaven. All these kinds of responses show my desire to control my world and my displeasure at not being able to do so. They are no-faith responses because they show that I believe that if I were running things, it would all be different. (Praise God that I am not running things!) My responses are deeply rutted and come quickly and without impediment.

In having these things be brought to my attention as sin, I am convicted and ask my God for forgiveness and help. Yet, the next time those situations come along, I “travel in old ruts.” So I purpose to be different. I pray harder and longer. I commit myself to staying away from situations that are particularly tempting. I do fine for a day or so—but eventually I “mess up.” My soul becomes convicted and I repent and wonder if I will ever change. Old ruts run deep. And at some point I say, “Forget it, I am just made this way and people will have to deal with me as I am.”

Then comes conviction and I start all over again. Probably, my mind replays all the times I have failed and I half-heartedly think that “I’ll try, but I’ll probably fail again.”

Phil. 3:13 says, “But one thing I do; forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Let us have the attitude of an athlete that didn’t win the last time. I am going to work at this again, and with the help of Christ, He will change my sinful habits of response. He does this as we seek Him. Press on!