From the Pulpit: Stuck in the mud
Do we ever feel that our lives seem to be simply “stuck in the mud?” As I was reading from the Prophet Jeremiah last week, I was reminded that at one point he literally ended up “stuck in the mud” when some unfriendly neighbors did not appreciate the words he spoke on behalf of God. So, with permission from the King, they dumped him into a cistern of only mud … no water! “Jeremiah sank into the mud.” (Jer 38: 6) Do we ever end up “stuck in the mud?”
Sometimes we get to points in our lives that feel like we are just not going anywhere, not making any progress, or just stuck in the mud. We keep doing the same old thing, same routine every day. Stuck. In times like these we need to challenge ourselves to get beyond the monotony, seek out new things or break out of our comfort zone. This can be easier said than done … I know. What about times when we just get hung up on something such as a past hurt or have difficulty with a given situation that we can’t let go of? Stuck in the mud. The more we mull over it, the more we get stuck.
I’m sure we have all encountered a time in our lives, when we literally got our car stuck in mud (or it might be too early to say – snow). Often the more we tried to get out of it, the more stuck we got! Past hurts or tough situations can be the same way. Sometimes, however, just an act of forgiveness either directly to a person or simply in our hearts can go a long way to our getting “un-stuck.”
Do you know how Jeremiah got “un-stuck” from the mud in the bottom of that cistern? An onlooker, who had the King’s trust, knew that in Jeremiah’s cistern situation, he would certainly die. So, that onlooker asked the King for permission to rescue Jeremiah. This man along with 30 other men hauled poor Jeremiah out of the mud.
Friends, co-workers, family or just onlookers might be our source of help in our time of need as well when we find ourselves overwhelmed or simply find ourselves “stuck in the mud”. Without those men who assisted Jeremiah, he certainly would have died. Our situations might not be as dire, but being stuck doesn’t allow us to seek the joys and happiness of this life which God desires for us. Being stuck in the mud is not comfortable either and prevents us from following the paths we are destined for. If you find yourself, as I often do – stuck in the mud – maybe break through the comfort zone, find a place to forgive, ask a friend to get you “un-stuck” and certainly ask God for His divine assistance!
