We are (I hope!) coming to the end of dry season in Nicaragua. The final weeks of dry season are akin to living on the surface of the sun while wearing a down jacket. Its hard to imagine it being hotter, and it looks as if nature has outlawed the color green. Have you ever experienced a dry season in life? A dry season as any period where it seems like few things appear to be going right, and your connection with God is beginning to wane. If you’ve experienced such a season, or perhaps are in one right now, you are far from alone. I would surmise that everyone goes through a dry season. It may be because of a calamitous event: job loss, relationship issues, medical problems, loss of a friend or loved one, or any number of issues. How can we not just survive, but thrive in the dry seasons of our lives?
Take a look at the prophet Elijah. He was called to be a prophet during a time of moral and spiritual collapse in Israel. Many had either ceased to follow God or had begun “hedging their bets” by worshiping many different gods. The King of Israel was so desperate to placate a variety of gods that he married his son off to the high priestess of Baal. In the midst of this, God makes Elijah the bearer of the bad news:
Elijah the Tishbite said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.” And the word of the Lord came to him: “Depart from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan.” 1 Kings 17:1-3
It struck me that Elijah, and everyone else who heard this message, had exactly two choices: they could put their faith in God to carry them through the dry season, or they could choose not to. To phrase it like Jedi Master Yoda: “trust or trust not, there is no try.” The King, Queen, and many Israelites chose to not trust in God, turning to other gods and their own intuition to try and save themselves. Now, while most of us don’t turn to other gods when things are difficult, I’m not sure we can always say that we truly trust in God (I know I haven’t always). Yet, that is really the ONE option we have when we encounter life’s dry seasons. We need to choose to run after the God who created us, who saved us, and who sustains us by the Spirit. We need to trust in his Word, wrap ourselves in His love for us, and remember his unceasing gift of salvation. When a dry season hits your life, are you ready to put your full trust in God?
