Read Numbers 10:29-32
Hobab, Moses’ brother-in-law was stuck in a rut. Sure the Promised Land sounded exciting. It was described as a land flowing with milk and honey. Midian, on the other hand, was a sunbaked wilderness. But it was home! It was familiar. The unknown and the untried were scary. The challenge was a little (or maybe a lot) overwhelming. Like Hobab, we can tell we are in a rut when an open door of opportunity is perceived as a draft of inconvenience or a threat to our comfort zone.
One of the most valuable pieces of advice I ever received was: “Avoid ruts!” This wise counsel applies to every aspect of life. Ruts are quick to form. They start as soon as we mindlessly do what we’ve done before: settle for the comfortable, convenient, controllable and familiar. We also start creating ruts when we lose the want-to and start dragging our feet. It doesn’t take long before we are entrenched in a rut.
Moses needed Hobab to use his gifts, knowledge and experiences. He could help them avoid a lot of ruts as they dealt with the unfamiliar. He knew deserts. He could help the Israelites negotiate the terrain. He knew what was harmful, as well as beneficial; which snakes were poisonous, what plants were toxic, where the soil was stable enough to handle their encampments, and how to make sure they didn’t destroy the place in the process. Moses needed him to be their eyes.
We need you to use your gifts as well. You may have the gift of discernment that helps us discern right and wrong, or the gift of teaching that keeps us growing in grace and knowledge. Maybe you meet practical needs through your gift of serving, or lift us up and keep us moving through words of encouragement. God may have gifted you with organizational and leadership skills that makes sure the work of God gets done. You may have the wonderful gift of compassion that provides personal and emotional support. Your generous spirit could reveal your gift of giving which supplies what we need to use our gifts. Every gift carries out a function. Working together – your gifts and mine - keeps the whole Body out of ruts. In the process of using your gift, it will keep you out of ruts as well.
Where are you most vulnerable to creating or being in a rut?
What attitude(s) can quickly lead to ruts?
Your giftedness affects how you think and how you act. It gives you a unique perspective. What do you recognize as your gift? How can you use it today to serve the Lord by serving others?
2 Timothy 1:6 reminds us to “fan into flame the gift of God.” How can you do that in your own life? How about others?
The rest of the story:
Hobab apparently climbed out of his rut and joined Moses. When the Promised Land was distributed Hobab’s sons were given the “the city of palms” (Judges 1:16). God has an oasis of blessings for you as well, but you have to climb out of your rut to claim them.
