Faith along the way

Rain. Rain. Rain. It seems like it has been raining non-stop for weeks. Then this week, every time I wash my car, well…go through the car wash…thinking the rain is over, it rains again. That’s springtime in KY for you. In reality, it is typical this time of year, but I’ve just been longing for warm, sunshiny days and it seems worse than it really is. Isn’t that how we are sometimes? We can’t seem to enjoy what we have because we are longing for something else. Something better. Something different. Something…else.

This morning, I looked outside my window into the front yard. The trees were so bright and green. It seemed like overnight everything became bright and green and gorgeous. I felt this whisper in my spirit: See what happens after the rain? The rain I had been so grumpy about, quite grumpy about actually, had been instrumental in producing this beautiful vibrant view of green trees in my yard. Spring is here. That doesn’t mean it is always going to rain, but when it does, I need to be thankful. God supplies the rain when we need it, just like He supplies the things we need when we need them. Sometimes we may need a little rain to appreciate the sunshiny days ahead…maybe?

This summer when it gets very hot and dry and we really need rain, we will long for the days of plentiful rain we had in the springtime. Happens every year. Seasons of drought happen as well. It makes me think about those seasons of spiritual dryness I have gone through from time to time. It seems like God is not quite so near, that I don’t feel His presence, His comfort. I may even feel like my prayers are not doing any good. What then?

In my own life, I have found that I need to spend even more time reading His Word, even more time in prayer, more time seeking and asking God to show me what is hindering me from the closeness I had with Him; Maybe ask a close, godly friend to pray for me, maybe seek counsel from my pastor. In some cases, it has been unconfessed sin, sometimes my own stubbornness in wanting to have my own way, sometimes I have become complacent in my own spiritual walk, sometimes my focus is on the “busy work” of being a Christian and not the relationship I have with my Lord, sometimes I get so focused on my physical health issues, and sometimes life just gets plain ole busy and I get caught up in it and spend less time with my Lord.

Like those changing seasons, this too passes…eventually. I need to keep seeking the Living Water. The Lord brings times of refreshing through His mercy and grace. I know that when I cry out to Him, He hears me. Some Scriptures that come to mind are Psalm 34:17-18, Psalm 40:1, and Psalm 116:1-2, to name a few I find comfort in. I am so thankful for his love and patience, for His mercy and his grace. This Christian walk is not always easy, but I know the Lord is always with me, even though I have those times when He feels far away. He promises He will never leave me, will never forsake me and that He is my helper (Hebrews 13:5-6). Oh, what comfort that can be found in His Word!

I am just sharing my own experiences, my own journey of faith. I don’t have all the answers, but I know the One Who does, and I will keep seeking Him, keep reading His Word, keep praying and seek counsel when I need to. I’m thankful and blessed that I am surrounded by godly pastors I can seek spiritual advice from. I praise God for the spiritual mentors in my life. I hope this encourages you to seek more time with the Lord in your own spiritual journey along the way.

Blessings to you and to God be the glory.

Jackie