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There is nothing good about being spiritually dry. I think of spiritual dryness this way. It is that place where, because we have not remained in close fellowship with God, God seems distant.
I think back at my own personal experience with spiritual dryness. Up front, I had been serving the Lord for many years. I point this out because, regardless of how long we have been in our walk with the Lord, we can still fall into the trap of spiritual dryness.
Spiritual dryness is not something that occurs instantly. It happens over time. And, it is often based on our choice to not prioritize time to spend alone with God.
The account in Mark 1 shows us that Jesus was doing many things. This one chapter records that Jesus was tempted by Satan, Jesus called his first set of disciples, and Jesus healed and delivered many people. That is quite a demanding schedule! But look at what Jesus did. Mark 1:35 (NKJV) reads: Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.
Jesus spent time alone with God. This was how Jesus nurtured His relationship and closeness with the Father. This was also how Jesus was strengthened and empowered to carry out the Father’s Will.
We are all faced with the demands of life. We get busy and our routines change. Despite it all, those things that are necessary to grow our relationship with God should remain constant. Every day, we must prioritize time for God. Time where we are reading the Bible, praying, or sitting quietly in God’s presence. This is how we experience God’s love. This is how we grow in the knowledge of God. And this is how we can be refreshed, equipped, restored, and so on.
Psalm 86:15 (NKJV) states: But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.
If you feel spiritually dry – if God seems distant – right now is a good time to choose to return to close fellowship with God. God is compassionate. God is gracious. And God is merciful.
A good place to start is to admit to God that you have not been putting Him first. Talk to God about all you have been going through. While God knows everything about us, God wants to be involved in our lives so share your challenges and joys with Him.
God can help us to live a life in close fellowship with Him. So ask God for the grace you need to consistently do those things that deepen your relationship with God. In addition, since God must be the desire of our heart, ask God to transform your heart so that your zeal and passion for God can be restored.
Psalm 51:12 (NKJV) states: Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
Except where indicated, scripture references are from the American Standard Version (ASV), Darby Translation (DARBY), or King James Version (KJV) – all public domains.
