As winter approached the daylight shortened.  In order to avoid tripping over obstacles, Jim stayed close to his usual path.  One evening Jim had to work late.  The sun had gone down; the moon was the only light he could see.

He knew his trip through the graveyard would get him home faster.  So, despite any obstacles, he continued his walk.  Everything was fine for the first half of his journey; and then it happened.  What Jim did not know was that a "fresh grave" had been dug that afternoon.  It laid dead center of his usual path.

Without warning, Jim fell into the opened grave.  Unharmed and a little embarrassed, he rose to his feet.  He tried to jump out, but the grave was too deep and the soil was too loose to grab hold of.  For over thirty minutes he tried to get out, but to no avail.  Exhausted, he leaned back against the wall of the grave.

The moon had moved behind some clouds and darkness thickened.  Jim could hardly see his hand in front of his face.  While he rested; and much to his surprise, someone else suddenly fell into the grave. 

Jim was startled at first, but kept silent.  He watched as the other man did his best to escape.  Realizing his futile situation, the man quit trying.

Jim then spoke up, "Sir, I too have been down here a long time.  Perhaps we could work together to get out."  Without any hesitation the man leaped from the grave and ran off.  Jim said to himself, "I wonder what got into him?" 

What happened to the man was quite simple.  He got motivated!

When you feel like your life is in a "rut," remember this.  A "rut" is simply a grave with the ends knocked out.  In order to rise up out of your situation, you may need some startling motivation.

But remember, self-motivation is an internal process that leads to external change.  Consider reading some uplifting books.  Find some friends that lift you up; instead of letting you down.  Get out from "under your circumstances" and rise to your feet.  

And if you feel that you have exhausted all your effort, then it is time to call upon the name of the Lord.  Remember, I did say that we alone hold the key to unlocking our self-motivating.  Well, there is someone else who has a back door "pass key."  His name is Jesus.