On Spiritual Drought.

My goodness, it's been a long time since I've posted on here. I've been aware that I needed to get back to making more regular posts, but have been having a difficult time of late in choosing topics to write on. Of course, there is an abundance of themes and dogmas from which one could choose, so it was hardly from a lack of subject matter. I just haven't found myself particularly inspired to write lately, and on that note, thought that my lack of writing would be something worth writing on.

All those who set upon the spiritual path find that their vigor, zeal and "closeness" with God may seem to wax and wane from time to time. At one point upon the road, one feels a vibrant and warm communion with the Father, while at others, God seems distant, if His presence can be felt at all. It can be difficult to understand why a God who allegedly loves us could allow us to feel so distant from His comforting embrace. Some assume that it is due to some sort of sin or deficiency in their own life that has set a gulf between them and their Lord. In fact, there are some evangelist who preach that if one is truly right with God, that person will be a beacon of success, being rich, trim and without disease or depression. Well, yay for them, but personally, I've never known God to work that way, and I think it would be pretty dull if He did.

So why do these periods of apparent distance find their way into the lives of even the most devout Christians? Because it is a very natural and even healthy part of life- all life- from the spiritual to the physical and beyond. Such cycles of abundance and lean can be found everywhere we look- winter has its summer, night its day, high-tide its low. And like the seasons, times of spiritual drought are often precursers to pending spring, when life bursts forth in glorious day, revealing new growth, freshness and vitality. The winter you may be experiencing now could very well be a time of testing that will yield bountiful fruit of the Spirit.

Therefore it is both unwise and a waste to despise low times, for they are as necessary as the good times. Accept them with calm and patience, knowing that this too shall pass, and when it does, the resulting harmony will have been worth the wait.

Amen. -Riley