Routines, Ruts, & Revolutions

Title: Routines, Ruts, & Revolutions

Opening:

This quote is often attributed to the genius of Albert Einstein. Before him, art critics and psychological theorists had recognized the idea. However, it seems that the true origin of the saying in its most often quoted form is from a person at an Al-Anon meeting held in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1981.

When the twelve steps were read at the meeting:

Step 1: We admitted we were powerless over alcohol – that our lives had become unmanageable.

Step 2: Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

One of the attendees at the meeting hesitated to accept the accuracy of the second step. She was unwilling to admit that she needed to be 'restored to sanity.' As she adamantly maintained that she had never reached a point of insanity, another wife of an alcoholic who had come to understand her codependent role in her husband's alcoholism remarked, 'Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.' These wise words remind me of ancient Israel's wilderness wanderings.

Scripture Reading: Please open your Bibles with me to Deuteronomy 2:1-3. Let's read together:

'Then we turned back and set out toward the wilderness along the route to the Red Sea, as the Lord had directed me. For a long time we made our way around the hill country of Seir. Then the Lord said to me, "You have made your way around this hill country long enough; now turn north."

Background on Deuteronomy 2:1-3 (6 minutes): The book of Deuteronomy is a record of a sermon that Moses gave to Israel on the eve of their movement from frustration and failure to fruition and future. The opening verses of the first chapter tell us that Moses is speaking to them on the threshold of their next step into possessing everything that God had promised their ancestors. They are camped in the plains of Moab and they can see over the Jordan River into the land of Canaan, the Promise Land. They are still technically "in the wilderness" (Deut 1:1).

They have come through a long, difficult journey from Egypt – made even longer and more difficult because of their unbelief and the death of the adult generation that first came out of Egypt. Moses doesn't want them to repeat their previous forty years, so he reminds them of the unbelief that has kept them stuck for most of the forty years. He tells them about the events of Mount Horeb. He begins recounting how God had told them, "You have stayed in the area of this mountain long enough. Head out and resume your journey..."

Israel's wilderness journeys are typical of human nature. We can get into a rut. Thirty-eight years of spinning their wheels. It reminds me of the man who lay at the pool of Bethesda for thirty-eight years. He had excuses; many of them were legitimate. But, Jesus didn't ask about any of those things. He just asked if he wanted to be made whole. We can't be whole wandering in circles.

God called Israel to get unstuck, move on, and go forward. They had wandered in the wilderness for thirty-eight years, and now was the time to break free from their rut and step into the promises God had for them.

Movement 1: Routines (15 minutes)

Introduction to Routines (3 minutes): Routines are powerful. They provide structure and stability in our lives. Spiritually, routines like prayer, Bible study, and worship can draw us closer to God. Naturally, routines can help us stay organized and productive.

Connection to Israel (5 minutes): In Deuteronomy 2:1-3, we see that the Israelites had been following a routine of wandering around the hill country of Seir. This routine of daily travel and survival had been their way of life for many years. From the time they left Egypt, they had established routines: gathering manna every morning, observing the Sabbath, and following the cloud by day and the fire by night. These routines were crucial for their survival and their relationship with God.

Illustrations (7 minutes):

• Spiritual Routine: Consider the example of a daily prayer routine. I know a brother in Christ who starts his day at 5 AM with prayer and Bible reading. This discipline has transformed his life, giving him peace and direction every morning.

• Natural Routine: Think about a morning exercise routine. Just as physical exercise strengthens our bodies, spiritual exercises strengthen our faith. Consistent routines keep us healthy and focused.

• Biblical Example: The daily gathering of manna is a perfect example (Exodus 16:4-5). Every morning, the Israelites collected manna, following God's instructions to gather only what they needed for the day. This routine taught them dependence on God for their daily sustenance and reinforced their faith in His provision. It was a daily practice that kept them connected to God and reminded them of His care and faithfulness.