Dry Spells

I have just completed reading an article by Rodney Clapp in the November 15th issue of Christian Century.   He writes about dry seasons, those times when God's presence is felt as absence, the "sterile patches in the life of faith" (St. John of the Cross), the dark nights of the soul.

I deeply appreciate Clapp's wise words.  He identifies the following responses:
        1. Dry seasons are not unique.  They are not signs of a weak or faulty faith. Dry seasons are part and parcel of living faith.
        2.  Trust the momentum.  Continue to practice faith, participate in worship and service as habits to ride the dry season out.
        3  Recall the past experiences of God's faithful presence.  Israel's history and practice inform us here.  I find the Psalms are worthy resources here.
       4. Especially for long dry seasons, consentrate on future hopes when "the Kingdom WILL come  to completion.  Trust in the ultimate victory of God's life-giving and redemptive work that lies in the future.  In my mind , this is resurrection hope.
       5.  Lean on the community of others who do experience God's presence.  "Participating in worship and church activities keeps us around people who do feel God's presence."

Clapp reminds me that by sticking with the journey of life and faith through the dry seasons teaches me about the bigness of faith and of God's care.  "it is grace and our stubborn trust," Clapp  says, "that keeps us going, keeps us in faith, during periods of unfeelingness."

Wise and good words for all of us at all time....especially in dry times.