Daily Devo July 31: Stuck in the Muck

In wrapping up our series on attitudes we will also launch into our next series of discussions on being Stuck in the Muck. One thing that keeps us in the wrong attitude is being stuck in the muck!
We didn't get stuck on purpose. We didn't begin this race with the intention of landing right in the middle of a huge pile of muck, but here we are. We find ourselves super busy, overwhelmed, over stressed, under rested, underfed, and barely moving. In a sense, we are nearly paralyzed and operating on survival auto pilot most of the time. We are in a long stretch of muck. It's exhausting to every fiber of our being to keep moving every day, but we can't stop because if we do we may never move again. The finish line? Who even cares anymore! We are just trying to get through each day, right? THIS was not how we intended it to be. EVER. This was not what we imagined as little girls dreaming of our lives someday. THIS was not what we promised when we gave our lives over to Christ. We go to bed every night asking God, "How did I get here? How do I get out?"
That's the life of being Stuck in the Muck and it keeps our attitudes from being what they ought to be and keeps us from being what God created us to be. So how do we get unstuck? Pretty much by breaking down what got us here to begin with. We have to know ourselves well enough to know what keeps causing our detours off the path God lines out for us. We have to know how NOT to get stuck again and allow HIM to free us for good. That's right, some good Scripture scrub down :)
Let's begin by checking our independence gauge. Feeling pretty self-assured? Feeling like you can take on anything? Feeling like you got this? Here's what I find most interesting about our struggle to be so independent, Jesus (the SON OF GOD) never once sought to be independent. He always pointed back to God, ALWAYS. He always pointed the disciples back to the fact that He was here and doing the will of the Father. He never claimed to be doing anything of His own. He could have, but He didn't.

 Then Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine but his who sent me. John 7:16 (emphasis mine)
Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now I am here. I did not come on my own, but he sent me.John 8:42 (emphasis mine)And many many more!

Yet, here we are as mere mortals fighting against our own shadows basically to be big, tough independent creatures on our little speck in the universe. Why do we wish so much to be separated from God? That is what we are saying when we try so hard to be on our own and do things by our own strength and our own wisdom? WHY?! I am the most guilty of this and I have to constantly check myself. If I am stuck in the muck it is more than likely because I have tried to be superwoman and conquer the world on my own...and failed fabulously at it. God created us to be with Him and designed us to be woven together and with Him. Harmony is experienced only when we submit to that design, not when we force it nor try to fabricate it. Rebellion belongs only in the resistance against evil. Every other place it detours us from the path of God and leads to stuckage (I made that word up so don't use it in English class!)

 So he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of others; but God knows your hearts; for what is prized by human beings is an abomination in the sight of God. Luke 16:15(emphasis mine)

So our last order of business in changing our attitudes and our first order of business in getting unstuck is to quit being so donkey-King-James-Version stubborn. Just give it up and submit to Him already. Allow Him to scrub you down, clean you up, and show you what you've been missing. I can guarantee you right now you will NOT like what He's about to show you, just be ready. You've been rebelling against His will for probably a while now, that's why you're where you are. It's never nice to face our own yuck square on. But once we do and come out of denial, we can finally turn to God for the forgiveness we've been needing. It's time to start cleaning off the muck. If you're exhausted and overwhelmed, if you feel like every step of every day takes all you've go- Don't give up, just give in to Him.

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matt 11:28-30