‘You have circled this mountain long enough. Now turn north. - Deuteronomy 2:3 (LSB)

A biologist experimented with what he called 'processional caterpillars'. He lined up caterpillars on the rim of a pot that held a plant so that the lead caterpillar was head-to-tail with the last caterpillar, with no break in the parade. The tiny creatures walked around the rim of the pot for a full week before they died of exhaustion and starvation. Not once did any of them break out of line and venture over to the plant to eat. Food was only inches away, but their follow-the-crowd instinct was stronger than the drive to eat and survive. A similar thing happened to a whole generation of Israelites. They walked in circles in the wilderness for 40 years, even though they were only kilometers away from the Promised Land.

If your in a rut today, ask yourself these 3 questions:

1. Is this rut of my own making?

   We often choose a rut because it's comfortable and requires no risk. Getting out of it requires courage and a willingness to make tough choices you follow through on. It also sometimes means admitting you were wrong and made a mistake.

2. Who am I following?

   We adopt certain patterns because someone has taught them to us directly, or by example. If you are following what someone else said, make sure you know their sources. Too many today are believing false information. Instead of mindlessly following the crowd, do your own research before taking a stand on anything and seek God's will for your life and commit yourself to doing it.

3. Where am I going?

   The Bible says:

   Where there is no vision (Or revelation), the people are out of control, but how blessed is he who keeps the law.- Proverbs 29:18 (LSB)

If you want to get out of the rut you are in today, ask God to give you a vision for your life - he will! When He does pour yourself into it!