There is a sermon illustration I have used over the years in preaching about personal change, spiritual conversion, and new beginnings.

It’s called, Autobiography in Five Short Chapters, by Portia Nelson.

I am often asked to repeat it or where it can be found.

Well, here it is…

Chapter 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.

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

Chapter 3 – I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it is 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.

Chapter 4 – I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it.

Chapter 5 – I walk down another street.

Do you need to walk down another street?