:: Shoveling ::

I have yet to personally meet the family living across the street from where I live, but I already know something about them - They have a very serious aversion to shoveling. It seems they have given up trying to compete with the constant snowfall here in West Michigan. I can't say I blame them - we've received over 87 inches so far this season. Regardless of the reason they choose to let their driveway stay covered, it leaves them with a dilemma: how to get through the snow and into their garage? Their method of choice: The "punch and pray" method - gunning the gas pedal and then just willing their way into the garage. They don't have to go far - their driveway is probably less than 40 feet long - but they inevitably get stuck. Sometimes with a little finagling they get it unstuck and safely up the drive, and other times they just leave it stuck half in the driveway, half out in the road until they have to go out again. 

Today I watched out my front window as the Jetta got stuck once again, and rescue operations began. They tried spinning their tires. They tried having one person get out and push. They then tried having them pull. They tried putting it in reverse and then rocking forward again and again. They called a friend, who showed up to also help them push. Another friend came, so they got three people pushing. Then driver got out and tried to push too (not sure how that was supposed to help). When a third friend pulled up, things got funny. They tried sitting on the hood and trunk to weigh it down. They tried splitting up to have some pushing and some pulling. They decided push the stuck vehicle up the driveway using one of their other vehicles. When that didn't work, they tried pushing the car that was pushing the stuck car. All to no avail. 

I was dumbfounded. There were two snow shovels stuck in the snowbank next to their front door, but not a single person thought to dig out from under the car or behind the tires. They heaved and they ho'd, but because they wouldn't identify the true cause of their dilemma and deal with the truth, they were getting nowhere. Then I was humbled as I realized how frequently I, in my own thickheadedness, make decisions too quickly and then refuse to deal with the real issue at hand. Like the Jetta, this only ends up in me getting stuck in a place God did not want me to be, spinning my tires looking for traction. When that happens, I need to treat the sin that is the underlying cause of my situation, not just try and escape the unpleasant symptoms my sin has created in my life. It is humbling to take my foot off the gas, seek wisdom for where God wants me to go, and be willing to trade my plans for his. But it is necessary and it is possible! 

God has given us all the tools we need to make better decisions and return to following him in obedience - my neighbors had their shovels, and I have the Holy Spirit and the Word of God - but unless we use them, we won't be getting unstuck and back on the path we should be on anytime soon. 

The author of Hebrews says in his book's closing statements, 

"Now, may the God of peace who brought you again from the dead, our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen" Hebrews 13:20-21

We can trust the quality of the tools; The God who raised us from death into new life and who keeps the blood-bound covenant with us has endorsed them! That's better than any Consumers Reports. We have no excuse not to use them. Let's together look for ways in our lives we can be more consistent in  avoiding known dangers as we see them, and when we do get stuck, be humble enough to look for the root problem, and not delay or squelch the Spirit's work in our lives.

They eventually did get the car unstuck - a neighbor a few houses down put a chain on his truck and towed them out. But they still haven't shoveled. Don't be like them. We must deal with our sin, identify our weaknesses, and work with the Holy Spirit to shovel our bad habits out of our lives. It's hard work, but the most rewarding we could ever do as we live to know and serve God better.

By his grace,
  ~Kelsey