Getting out a Rut
Photo by Felipe Cespedes
We all know the feeling: life slips into the same grooves, the same routines, and before long, those grooves become ruts. We keep showing up, doing what’s expected, but without freshness, without expectation.
The Scriptures show us something powerful: ruts are not the end of the story.
Think of the Samaritan woman at the well. Day after day she went about her routine, not expecting anything new. Yet one day, she met Jesus. With a single look and the words, “If only you knew the gift of God…” her world changed. Her rut became the doorway to freedom.
Or the fishermen on the shore of Galilee - tired, worn out, stuck in disappointment after a night of failure. And then Jesus stepped into Simon’s boat. He told him to try again, to “put out into the deep.” The result? A catch so abundant it nearly sank two boats. But even more: a new mission, a new horizon—“From now on, you will be catching men.”
The lesson is clear. Our routines can quietly turn into ruts. But when we listen to Christ’s voice, when we dare to take the risk of trying again, of stepping deeper, we discover parts of ourselves we didn’t know were there.
As St. Josemaría Escrivá wrote in Furrow (no. 96): “Do not be narrow-minded men or women… incapable of embracing our supernatural Christian outlook as children of God.” To “launch out into the deep” is to dare, with faith, to move beyond the comfort zone—even in small ways.
Practical Ways to Break the Rut
Swap distractions for depth. Instead of ending the night scrolling endlessly on TikTok or Instagram, try reading a book or ending the day in prayer.
Surprise someone you love. Break the rut of routine interactions with parents, siblings, or your spouse by doing something unexpectedly kind.
Say yes now. Stop procrastinating on spending time with Jesus, the dentist appointment, or the long-postponed call. Do it today.
Reframe your walk, commute, or downtime. Instead of filling it with noise, pray a decade of the rosary, or simply be present to the person beside you.
Small steps matter. A rut deepens when we accept defeat in little things day after day. But freedom grows when we take risks, even simple ones, and respond to Christ’s quiet invitations.
Mary at Cana showed us the way: she noticed a small need, and told the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.” That trust turned water into wine.
So too in our lives, if we listen, if we dare, the Lord transforms our ruts into roads that lead to joy.
This reflection was originally shared in 10 Minutes with Jesus — we encourage you to listen and pray along.