Brothers and Sisters,

As a pastor I hate to admit it, but from time to time I too feel spiritually dry. I’m sure you understand what I mean because many of you have told me that you go through the same experience at times. Sometimes we struggle with a feeling that our zeal for the Lord is not quite what it should be. Our dryness or thirstiness manifests itself in different ways because we’re all different. It is also sometimes difficult to pinpoint the source of this feeling of dryness. Symptoms may include too little time in prayer and the word, but sometimes you read and pray faithfully but still feel a little dry. While I think the spiritual “solution” or medicinal prescription to dryness, at bottom, is all the same, sometimes that prescription comes in different forms.

At the end of the day, if we are dehydrated, we need to drink water. Our dehydration doesn’t dissipate with one glass of water. We need to drink deeply and for an extended period of time until we are fully recovered from our dehydration. And we can take in that water in different ways too. Depending on our level of dehydration, we may need an I.V. Our spiritual dryness is not too dissimilar. In other words, there is something of an analogy between physical dehydration and spiritual dryness. Just as we need water when physically dehydrated, so we need the water of the Word when we’re spiritually dry.

We may need to take in more of the Word through reading and prayer, we certainly need to take in the water of the Word through gathering each Lord’s Day as we sing the Word, pray the Word, and hear the Word. We may need to listen to audio scripture or scripture memory songs, or scripturally based songs, or scriptural sermons a little more throughout the week. None of the forms in themselves are necessarily the “key” to alleviating the spiritual dehydration, rather it is the Word itself, and the Word made flesh proclaimed in the Word who will end our thirst.

The next time you find yourself spiritually dry, remember that you need water…the water of the Word. Tell your brother or sister that you’re in need of refreshment and encouragement in your pursuit of Christ. Let them walk with you and encourage you in the Word. Don’t forsake the fountains of water that God has given us – his Word, prayer, the church, and preaching. And remember that you’ve been here before and you’ve experienced God’s kindness in reviving your soul. What he has done before, I’m sure he will do again.

Warmly in Christ,
Mike