I’m thirsty for God.
I feel disconnected from Him… like we are worlds apart.
To be honest, I’d like to blame it on something other than me. But the truth is that I’m parched for Him because of my own doing.
- I am not spending enough time in His Word.
- I’m not listening for Him to speak.
- My prayers are shallow and unoriginal.
Yep, it’s all me.
At times I’m so busy with my ministry, that it becomes part of my to-do list. It becomes more like work than a privilege. I lose the excitement because I am just trying to keep my head above water.
I hate that feeling.
The Enemy, however, loves it.
He loves to disconnect the heart and the head when it comes to our relationship with God. And a perfect way for him to do that is to make us busy.
- When we get overwhelmed with busyness, we work harder.
- And when we work harder, we tend to do so in our own strength.
- And when we work in our own strength, we disconnect from God.
- And when we disconnect from God, we become dry.
That is simple math.
I wonder if you are feeling the same way.
I had a pastor once tell me that our relationship with God ebbs and flows. What he meant was that as humans, we’re unable to keep a continuous level of intensity in our relationships.
You see, there will naturally be times when you feel so close to God and other times you feel so far away. Just like anything else, our relationship with the Creator needs intentionality.
So what do we do when we find ourselves… dry?
The Psalmist shows us by example. “I stretch out my hands to you in prayer. Like parched land, my soul thirsts for you.” (Psalm 143:6)
Prayer.
We pray.
We reach out to God in prayer.
We talk to our Father in Heaven.
Duh, right? I mean, that seems like such a no-brainer. Yet so often when we feel distant from God… we aren’t sure where to start in prayer. We freeze up.
But the Psalmist offers a solution to that, too. You remember what he did? He stretched out his hands towards God.
Nothing warms my heart more than when one of my kids reaches out for me when they realize they’ve done something wrong. It brings them comfort to be close to me. It is a step towards restoring our relationship.
Maybe we should follow that example.
Father, forgive me for ignoring You. I am sorry for putting other things in front of You. The truth is that there is no one above You or beside You and I am sorry for behaving differently. I ask, God, that You restore my joy. Forgive me for seeing your kingdom work as an item on my to-do list. I love You and ask these things in Your name. Amen.
©2011 careyscotttalks.com
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Wonderful!
There was a story of an elderly couple who always rode together in their old farm truck. After several years, the woman said to her husband as he was driving them into town “I remember when we used to sit side by side on the way onto town. I miss those days.”
The man, with both hands on the wheel, looked at his wife who was leaning against the passenger door and smiled “I didn’t move.”
Isn’t that how we are with God? I use that story a lot with my women’s ministry and moreso in my own life. When I hit a dry place… I think to that old truck and I know that God is still in the drivers seat.
Thanks,
Melissa
Melissa… I LOVE THAT STORY! I’m a visual learner and that was perfect for me. I love the line… “I didn’t move.” You blessed me, sister. Thank you!
May He refresh you today as you soak in His presence. Love you
Thank you Jeanelle… love you girl!
It also helps to sit by the fire on someone’s back porch in a thunderstorm talking about the goodness of God…let the re-connection begin! (-:
Cathi, amen.
Carey-I’m praying girl! For us BOTH! Thank you for that honest and wise message! As usual, I really needed it!!!! Love u
Conni… thanks for taking the time to read my stuff. You’re an amazing wise friend!
Oh my. Thank you for this reminder. I have been feeling the same way. Having to simply live life and deal with a surgery, I feel like things are just off. I will be praying for the two of us but knowing the God we serve, he is standing with His arms opened wide. Oh, how I love Him.
Elisa, that’s a good way to describe it. “Things are just off.” Totally get that, sister!
Thank you for the encouragement today! I am dry and just wiped out. Allergies are kicking my butt lately.
Blessings,
Mel
Please feel free to stop by: Trailing After God
Mel, it’s frustrating how we work against ourselves. When we need Him the most, we go it alone… which leaves us dry and wiped out. We need to soak. Hope your allergies clear up soon!
Carey,
Even though I’ve been leading a women’s bible study, my time spent with the Lord has been dry. As I was reading your words, they so penatrated my heart…I know it was not by chance that I clicked on your !
In His Grace~Tammy
Tammy, thank you for your honesty! You totally get what I am saying in my post. EVEN WHEN we are steeped in doing His work, we can be bone dry. That’s something we have to guard very carefully. Thanks sister!
Thank you for putting my feelings in your blog. The last few years I have spent walking in the cancer journey, and while I don’t ever want to repeat the treatment, I do cherish the moments of the time just “sitting with God.” This past fall trying to prove that I was healed, I signed up to lead 2 adult bible study’s, along with working full time, an unexpected hysterectomy due to complications from chemotherapy, and a few other medical challenges. My reentry into “life” soon found me discouraged and exhausted. Is it a wonder, I got lost? The last month has found me intentionally seeking God and saying “NO” to many worthwhile things…knowing that this season I am doing my best to put Him first. Your post was a beautiful affirmation for me to continue listening to my heart. Thank you!
Kim, thank you for sharing your heart. I’ve also walked the journey of a cancer diagnosis and remember the sweet time with God. It seems when my life is going along at a clipper pace, I put God in the back seat. Thank YOU for reminding me of that time with God. It brought back a lot of great memories of God being so present in my life and situation. I bless you in your continued journey!
Carey,
I read your post with tears spilling over. Your words echoed the feelings deep within my heart too. I am feeling overwheled with plans for She Speaks, moving to another house an hour away (which is still being worked on), and the money pressures that are threathening my faith and peace. As I read your post, a song from Rita Springer just kept running through my ind, “All I Need To Do Is Worship.” Hope it ministers to you too….
Can’t wait to meet you in person at She Speaks!
Judi… sweet sister! I love that my words moved you and that God used that moment to speak into your heart! I bless you as you prepare for SS and I know that God has something in store for us there. “All I need to do is worship”…. ain’t that the truth! See you in a few weeks!
Carey,
I love your words of encouragement! This message is so timely! Thanks so much. I couldn’t help but notice that you use wordpress for your blog. If you are attending She Speaks this year, I would love to meet with you and ask some very needed blogging questions dealing with WP. 🙂 I can’t seem to find people that can help me understand the way this program works. Check out my blog if you get a chance…amygking.com.
Hi Amy… I’d be happy to answer your questions at SS! Are you writer’s track?
I can TOTALLY relate Carey — AND I know it’s ME {I believe that is a blessing, because then I can do something about it!} I believe too what your pastor shared with you the “ebb and flow” — we need to persevere through and during these down moments, we need to have a — Plan B — when our relationship with Him is dry. Thank YOU for sharing this all-to-familiar-feeling with us.
Keeping it Personal,
Teri Johnson
Teri… Plan B. Brilliant. I might unpack that on MT today! Thanks, sister!