Dry Spells

The summer weather with this intense dry spell is prompting me to consider the dry spells in faith and prayer we all will experience at one time or another.  Dry spells are times when we just seem to be going through the motions, when routines become burdensome, when prayers seem to be collecting on the ceiling, when worship seems to be dry, when passages from the Bible are a jumble of words, when the waters of life seem stagnant, when we feel stuck in a muck, spinning our life’s wheels and going no where productive.

The life of faith has those times.  The people of Israel called it exile or wilderness.  Christians have referred to this as a dark night of the soul.

Our tendency is to try to get out of the muck and mire.  We may “take a vacation” from prayer, reading scripture, worship, serving.  We may seek out some new or attractive option for investing our time and energy.  Resist the temptations to step away or to chase after “greener grass”.

 God is present in the dry spells!  It is through our experience of dry spells that God teaches us.  We learn to develop some of the virtues of following Jesus, being a disciple: faith, hope, love, humility, persistence, courage,  trust, sensitivity to the hurts and needs of others, wisdom and commitment in seeking to serve Christ and be part of the way of life (the Kingdom) God is bringing on earth.

Paul’s words to the Christians at Galatia are words of encouragement:  Let’s not get tired of doing good, because in time we will have a harvest if we don’t give up.  So then, let’s work for the good of all whenever we have the opportunity, and especially for those in the household of faith.  (6:9-10)