Epiphany 3 (Year B) January 22, 2006

Jonah 3: 1- 5, 10, Psalm 62: 5-12; 1 Corinthians 7: 29-31, Mark 1: 14-20

In a Rut, or in the Groove

Let’s look at the two expressions “in a rut” and “in the groove.”  They are totally different, even though a rut and a groove might seem somewhat similar.  One dictionary defines “rut” as “a track worn by a wheel or by habitual passage.”  Given the fact that it is difficult to get out of a rut once you’re in, there are a couple of other definitions.  A rut is “a usual or fixed practice, “a monotonous routine.”  While the dictionary definition of “groove” has a couple of definitions that sound similar to that of “rut,” there are several that are very different:  “An enjoyable, pleasurable, or exciting experience, the line or course to follow for best results, top form.”  So, in a nutshell, what is the difference? 

To say that someone is in a rut means that that person is stuck, imprisoned in the rut, so to speak, and can’t go in any other direction. In the groove, on the other hand, means to be in the tempo, the swing of the music, responding to it and going along with it.

Two of today’s lessons touch on this topic.  Jonah was stuck in a rut, or actually, in two parallel ruts.  He preferred what he wanted rather than what God wanted; yes, even though he was a prophet of God.  In fact, it is far too often the people of faith that are stuck in this rut of acting independently of God’s will.  He preferred anyone, and anything, over those he classified as outsider.  His fellow believers, a bean plant, he himself— all of these were more valued in his eyes than those worthless Ninevehites.  He was quite content to let the people of Nineveh perish.  What a rut!

This is a rut that we as individuals, as a church, and as a society can find ourselves in: focusing on those we like and admire, rather than those we don’t; focusing on those who are cradle Anglicans, or native born Canadians, or whatever, rather than those who aren’t; focusing on those who are already “in,” rather than those who aren’t yet.  Interestingly, in the story of Jonah, it is the outsiders who are in the groove, and not in a rut.  The ship’s captain and crew really did not want to throw Jonah overboard into the sea.  And when they saw the power of God over the raging seas they immediately worshipped that God rather than their own.  A God that probably none of them had ever known or worshipped before.  These folks were not in a rut!  And then there were the citizens of Nineveh.  They are described as being terribly wicked.  Yet a half-hearted, barely begun, sermon from Jonah was enough to turn them around.  Why, he only uttered eight words, at least according to our English translation.  These were people who weren’t in a rut.  They were in the groove, God’s groove.  They were grooving, swinging, moving along to the exciting “music” of God’s will.  The four disciples of Jesus, Peter and Andrew, James and John were definitely not in a rut, either.  They left their livelihood, their sole means of support, everything they had known & counted on, in order to follow Jesus.  They too were in the groove of God’s loving will. 

In today’s Gospel reading Jesus uses a word that is often misunderstood, the word “repent.”  “Repent” doesn’t mean that you are a mean, nasty, evil person.  “Repent” simply means “to turn,” to turn from following one’s own desires and inclinations to following God’s instead.  Think of it this way:  God’s desire, as stated by Jesus, is for us to have life, and life in all its abundance.  So that is what God’s will is intended to provide.  Accordingly, to repent is simply to climb out of the rut, the rut that goes nowhere and does not give you that abundant life.  To get out to the rut, and into the groove of God’s loving, gracious will.

       We might be in a rut if...

• we haven’t tried something new for a long time.
• we compare ourselves to others rather than to ourselves as we once were.  We are satisfied with who and what we are, and no longer try to change or grow.
• we are content living a life with goals mostly unrealized.
• we blame others rather than accepting responsibility and making things happen.
• we haven’t made any big mistakes lately. We haven’t taken risks, ventured out on a limb, to where only God can help us.

        So what stops us from moving from the rut to the groove?  Three things: inaction, resistance and avoidance of discomfort.  The answer to inaction is simply to take a step, a small step, one after another, and keep on with them.  Simply to take one day at a time, one conscious decision at a time, and not worry about the future.  That is what the first disciples did, and indeed all disciples.  To simply trust God in the here and now, and not worry about the rest. The answer to resistance is in starting to say “yes,” to a few new things, yes to even small things. The answer to avoidance of discomfort is to accept that learning and growth require a measure of these.  To get out of the rut and into the groove requires at least some discomfort on our parts. 

       Look what we gain: we get into the wonderful groove of a loving gracious God.  We start to fulfill our God given purpose and potential.  We bless ourselves and our world, and we become more the people God created us to be.  So, everyone, out of the rut, and into the groove.