Seasonal thaws, melting snow, and rain produces mud. Slippery mud. Knee-deep mud in high traffic areas. Mud that coats and smears any and all surfaces. Here on the property we seem to have more than our share of mud. It’s a mud that hinders forward progress. Determination and grit are needed to keep on.
Projects are halted because of the quantity of mud and various plans await completion. Moreover a normal jaunt down the hills and gullies become a treacherous fall with one misstep. On the other hand, as the days inch by and the winds blow hard, hope is born that once again the sod will become dry and green grass will take the place of the muddied yard. Furthermore, there is hope that building ventures that had been stalled will be completed.
Spiritual Quagmire
Similarly, life has its seasonal thaws and pounding rains that often generate a mud of a different nature. A disgruntled attitude, an unthankful spirit, a critical perspective or a self-pitying mindset all can become a quagmire of spiritual mud that will place a stranglehold on spiritual progress.
In the past months, it has felt like I have been mud-slogging. Forward progress has been tough, slippery falls more common and sinking steps a daily occurrence. It’s arduous and exhausting. As I examined my life I found to my dismay I had allowed the mud to gather around my soul.
The hard of circumstances had left me battle-weary and disgruntled about my situation. My spirit no longer seemed to sing with gratitude, critical glasses were acquired and used too frequently. Moreover, I had slipped into the sludge of self-pity.
Forward Progress
My spirit cried out for renewal, but without a definitive step forward nothing changed. However, God heard my cry and began to redirect my focus. The fog that surrounded my spirit began to lift and purposeful gratitude became a stepping stone through the quagmire.
“For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.” Psalm 107:9
It wasn’t a once and done moment. In fact, it is still a journey I am on. He is still working on me. Spiritual progress is happening. The gentle wind of the Holy Spirit is bringing about clarity and understanding as I pause and listen. God is using various venues to awaken my awareness to the sludge I have been trudging through. He is reminding me of my purpose. Consequently, I can move forward.
With a purposeful heart I praise God. His unfailing love surrounds me. He comes to me in my desperate neediness. In the darkness He shines his light. Praise becomes a sure bridge across the quagmire of life’s circumstances. The mud of life that tends to cling becomes firm sod as I lift my heart in praise toward the Lord whose merciful kindness is great towards me.
Celebrating A Good God
As I read through a cluster of Psalms (107 – 118) I find my heart celebrating the God who intervenes in the affairs of men. Not because he has to, but because he wants to. Moreover, he delights to dwell with us. As I cling to this gracious and merciful God my footsteps become confident and He becomes my strength and song.
“Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!”
Psalm 107:8
Take time to build a bridge of praise over the quagmire of life’s mud.
- Saturate your heart with the truths of God.
- Linger in the Psalms of praise.
- Re-orient your heart.
- Let go of resentment.
- Fill the ruts of unthankfulness with daily gratitude.
- Memorize a Psalm of praise.
- Work on disengaging the habit of crabbing.
- Remind yourself of the characteristics of God’s love he wants you to follow (1 Corinthians 13).
- Cooperate with what God is doing in your life.
- Praise God for his unfailing love for you.
- Worship God for his goodness.
- Exalt God for stooping down to involve himself in the affairs of men.
“O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him all ye people. For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.”
Psalm 117
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