Stuck in the Mud
Posted on 13 April 2008 by Kenny
I’ve had this image lately of an old western movie. I’m sure you have all seen it. It’s the one where the covered wagon is stuck in the mud. Everyone is pushing and pulling and the thing just doesn’t seem to come unstuck. But after a while it does. It doesn’t burst out and zoom down the trail, but is slowly begins to move, still struggling against it’s binds. After a bit it is free and continues with it’s trek at a sure and steady pace.
As I’ve shared with you all (probably till your sick of hearing about it) the stuck wagon wheel is how I’ve felt spiritually for the last few years. Stuck in my own mud. But through God’s grace I believe that is changing. Just in the past two to three weeks, maybe not so coincidentally timed with a study of the Holy Spirit my Saturday morning group has been doing, I have felt the presence of His Spirit washing over me in a new way. It is renewing, refreshing, life giving. I have a renewed passion for Worship and for His presence. Like the wagon I haven’t “burst” from my binds, but I feel movement, praise God, movement towards Him. I know He is pulling me into this movement. I know it because I can feel that it is His strength. I know it because I am not strong enough to pull myself out. I know it because His Spirit is telling me so.
You all have been patient with me in my struggle so I felt you should know about this change. Thank you for your prayers and support.
Well as a result of dwelling in the shallow end of the DBG gene pool I do not know who posted “Stuck in the Mud”. I will not attempt a public guess, because it is actually better this way. As I read this it is obvious that it could have been me right up until there seems to be movement.
I do very much appreciate the the description of the wagon not “bursting” from it’s binds as any movement in the right direction is a victory.
I am also hoping to “burst” from the mud and I am not sure how that will look when it occurrs. What I am sure of is that the prayers and support of the DBG’s is a very important part of the “bursting from the mud”.
Loveyameanit!
Kenny, I am so encouraged to read your post and have seen God working on you in many ways. Remember not too long ago when you forgot to bring the correct letter to our meeting at church? Isn’t it amazing that God knew in advance that the wagon was going to start moving soon.
I wonder somethimes how and why it is that God would provide these seasons in our lives. I’m curious to know, and perhaps we can spend some time Thursday talking about, just what it is that you believe God is doing.
I attended the John Eldridge live telecast at church last night and walked away encouraged and discouraged. Encouraged that, according to Eldridge, God does indeed “speak” to us and we can “hear” Him. Discouraged to know that I haven’t quite got that mastered or otherwise even close!
What would it look like if we measured what we “heard” from God against scriptures, wise counsel and the fruits of such hearing? Kenny, I think it’s fantastic that God is invading your life and you can see it and feel it.
Thanks so much for who you are and what you mean to us DBG’s!
Ken,
I am so encouraged by your comments and by the good movement of God’s Spirit in your heart. We have been traveling the same road for some time, as you know. It is incredibly motivating to see a fellow traveler’s wagon moving instead of stuck. You make me want to keep moving too!
Grateful for you!