Spiritual Dryness

I sometimes feel sad when people who believe startdeclaring that they are experiencing spiritual dryness. Although I understand that a certain form of dryness or crossing the desert can be experienced, I doubt if these people have actually done their part to make their spiritual journey more meaningful.

People close to me have often used this as reason for shying way from practices which I belive actualy helps them. When I ask them if they actually pray daily, read the scriptures daily, meditate or reflect daily,or attend spiritual retreat regularly, the answer is usually on the negative.

Spiritual development is a process. Spiritual life is a moving, flowing act or state. It can not be static. One has to continue to improve, to act, to do and even to be.

It is hard work. What you put in is what you get. Or even more. And it is hard work when we develop a relationship. such as a friendship. We spend time and effort to be present and be involved in the life of the other. The same with physical development where we spend time and effort to develop our muscles or general fitness.

If the encounter with God seem to be unproductive, or one-sided or empty, we should not abandon our efforts, especially in stillness. We need to find to be creative in finding sacred spaces or other opportunities that will inspire us again and ignite the fire wihtin us.

It does and will happen. However, I believe it is up to us individually to find a flowing spring so our thirst for God's presence and love will be quecnhed and satisfied.

Take care.

Ros