Colossians 2:6-7 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
I love spring! The trees are all blooming and the air is crisp, yet warmer and with the promise of longer days to come. I especially enjoy the trees that bloom in the spring. The vibrant colors brighten the neighborhood, the smell of flowers drifts toward my nose on a gentle breeze and the recently barren branches provide shade and beauty for all to see. I wish they could bloom all year.
Unfortunately, spring lasts but a short while. The blossoms are replaced by lush leaves and the smells of lilac and magnolia are a memory until next year. It's amazing how plants work. They bloom in the spring, grow dormant in the winter, and in between use water, light and soil to produce food. The cycle of life in a plant is amazing.
I have come to realize that my spiritual life has a similar cycle. I have periods of spring, when my faith blossoms and grows. I also have periods that feel dormant, when I know that God is there, but I don't feel like I'm bearing much fruit.
Sometimes I feel God's presence more than others. When I'm in a good season, God is right there next to me, from morning to night. Everything I do feels like worship. I love it. When I'm in a bit of a drought, I feel like God is there, but he's distant. I can't quite reach him. I strain and I reach, but I can't make contact.
During these periods of drought, I think I could learn a lot from the plants around us. See, when there's a drought, plants don't pick up their roots and move, they dig deeper, finding water in the deepest soil. Plants grow and turn to maximize their exposure to light. I think I need to do the same thing. See, when I go through a dry spell with my faith, I don't dig deeper, in fact I do the opposite. I take a week off of church. I don't make time to read my Bible that day. I fall asleep without prayer. Unlike a plant that turns toward the light, I pull myself away from the Son.
I think we need to remember that in a rough time, we need to dig deeper and reach for God with passion. We can't pull up our roots and assume that God will grow our faith. We need to take part in the process. Those times when it's hard to feel God's presence, we need to reach farther. Those are the times we need to bury ourselves in the Word. During the the dry spells we need to worship more, because our collective worship can pull us closer to God. In those dry spells, I rely on those around me to help me dig. Sometimes my husband gets me to church when I "don't feel like it." Other times, I am find God's presence in my small group, when someone lovingly reminds me of how much God loves me and of the plans he has made for me.
One little glimpse of God's plan for my life energizes me to draw closer to him. Suddenly the trivial tasks of the day, like making breakfast for the kids or going to work feel like worship again. I am so grateful to every person who has brought me back into God's presence. I am in awe of God's willingness to make my life a beautiful flower, despite all of my dry spells. God is good! All the time!
Heavenly Father,
You know how our hearts and minds work. We go through periods when our faith blossoms and periods when our faith lies dormant. Help us to seek you, even in the dry times. Help us to dig for you, Lord. Help us to sink in our roots and drink you in. Nurture us in our faith. Strengthen us Lord. Grow us.
Amen
