1.    I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in. I am lost. I am helpless. It isn’t my fault. It takes forever to find a way out.

2.    I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I pretend I don’t see it. I fall in. I can’t believe I’m in the same place, but it isn’t my fault. It still takes a long time to get out.

3.    I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it there. I still fall in. It’s a habit. My eyes are open. I know where I am. It is my fault. I get out immediately.

4.    I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the side walk. I walk around it.

5.    I walk down a different street.

                                              —An Autobiography in Five Short Paragraphs, by Portia Nelson

So, what deep holes swallow you time and time again?

I’ll name a few of mine: holding grudges, remaining unteachable, and feeling profoundly inadequate. I have not always been able to identify my holes. But I am seeing just a bit of light.

From one hole-dweller to another: Let’s seek to walk down a different road. That must begin with brutal honesty about the streets we traverse and the patterned behavior that follows. We may need the aid of others to clearly identify potholes that have gobbled us up far too often. Muster the courage and reach out for support.

For others, the wrong road has been clear for some time—we’ve just not hated falling in enough. Shall we commit to the different road? Shall we bring the ugly hole before the One who knows the exact road to revival that we need to travel? Isaiah 61:1-6 deserves pondering.

Consider walking your staff team through this “Autobiography in Five Short Paragraphs.” Read through it with your disciples, roommates, and children. Holes are everywhere, and a different street awaits.

This month’s “Prayer Page” will only grease the tracks to freedom.