Seriously God is so awesome. In case you didn’t know, I always wait for a prompting from him to come and write which is why it’s sometimes a few weeks in between each entry. Which is exactly what I’m touching on today.
I went to my Tuesday bible study today and the inspiration came after a discussion about what the Lord does for us.
Guys, we’re human. We are imperfect beings and we have seasons. Do me a favor and think about a relationship you have, whether that’s with your spouse, parent, kid, friend. Whatever it is, get that in your mind. Ok, great!
Now, answer this question: Is that relationship the same amount of closeness ALL the time? Chances are probably not. If it is, get in touch with me and share all your wisdom!
I do know, that is not the case for me. Every single relationship I have fluctuates. Sometimes, we’re in tune and close and sometimes it takes a little more work. It’s the nature of being imperfect. Two imperfect beings navigating a relationship. It happens. It doesn’t mean you throw the relationship out the window, it means you roll with the seasons. (Please realize, I’m talking about healthy relationships here y’all.)
The relationship you have with God is exactly that, a relationship. It comes with seasons. Here’s the amazing kicker though. It’s a imperfect being in relation with a perfect God. My point in saying that is this: You are human. There will be times that you are spending so much time with the Lord, you are hearing him like crazy. There will be times where life gets you and you get a little distracted. There will be seasons where you are being poured into from the Lord. There will be seasons where you’re pouring into others. The beautiful thing is that no matter what season you are in God is the same amount of near to you. He doesn’t pull away, he patiently waits for you to move. He also is busy surrounding you in some way, shape or form.
All too often, I find myself really kicking myself during what I call a “spiritually dry” season. It’s a season where I’m distracted, not hearing from the Lord, or just plain putting my faith on autopilot. What I’ve learned and continue to learn during these seasons is what is necessary and what to pray into in order to make it through. Here is what I’ve got:
Community
During these seasons I LEAN into my spiritual community. I know that even though I’m not hearing from the Lord, others are. I push into that knowing I will be able to return the blessing someday. It has always been an encouraging way for me to persevere and get me on track.
Bible Time
It’s during these times I throw myself into the word as a “study book” Hear me out. Often when I dive into the word I’m looking for personal application. During a spiritually dry season, I turn to the word as a source of knowledge for the sake of history and learning. I delve into the historical aspect of Israel, the early church, the different festivals that were celebrated. I basically go to my own version of “school” in the bible. I do this because I know that even if I’m not in a season of spiritual high I am always willing to gain knowledge and information. This has helped the fire for God come back into my heart and has allowed me to apply that knowledge to a different season in my life.
Identifying my stronghold
This one is the most difficult for me because mine changes. Chances are yours might too because once you figure it out and get in front of it, the enemy finds something else. It’s the nature of the beast, literally. ha! Anyway, here’s what I mean: What is the biggest thing that distracts you from spending time with the Lord?
My most recent answer to that question was TV. Joey and I got hooked on a show and I quickly realized how much of a stronghold it had over me. We gave it up and tried to watch it again recently and just couldn’t get into it anymore. We had allowed God to lift that stronghold. It may seem silly but things like that can act as serious distractions and can keep you in a spiritual dry season longer than you’d like. I would challenge you to find your stronghold in whatever season you’re in right now and ask the Lord to lift it from you. This is also a great thing to give to your community to pray for too!
Know God does all things Well.
Whatever season you’re in, find comfort in this. All too often, for me a least, after a spiritually dry season the Lord delivers you to a place of joy and comfort. The Lord refines so that you are ready and prepared for the great things he has in store for you. A spiritually dry season can do some serious refinement for you and ignite a passion in you that you never knew lived there.
Isaiah 41:9 says this:
“You whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, ‘You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off.'”
Y’all, even in the spiritually dry seasons, he does not cast you off and you are chosen.
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