During periods of drought, the ground – the soil – splits as it is drying. As it dries and shrinks, the ground vomits up debris – those things that should not be there for the ground to be rich, fertile and workable. Every year in drought yields more debris – bigger than the year before: Things like rocks, stones, and metal – even things like golf balls. When the rain finally comes, the ground begins to soak up the much needed moisture. Deep down, a good soaking rain will cause the ground to swell with the nectar of heaven’s dew. It will eventually close up all the cracks and crevasses, and fill in all the holes created by the foreign debris coughed up during the drought. We think of drought as unproductive, but droughts really are a time to prepare the soil for the sowing – the planting – removing what doesn’t belong and thereby enriching what does.
We are like that. When we have a “drought” from hearing from the Lord, when His silence is deafening, those are the times that the rocks and debris in our life surface to be dealt with. We can leave them where they arise and allow the future rains to take them below the surface, hidden from view. Or we can deal with them by banishing them from our life – never to return. And when the rain of God finally comes, it falls on soil that is ready for new seed – new life – and new fruit.
- The last time you were in a dry place with the Lord, what debris surfaced?
- How did you deal with it?
- If you did not banish it from your life when it surfaced, what could you do now to get rid of it?
- Going forward, how could you effectively handle debris removal?
Lord, give me the courage and strength to deal with the debris in my life as it surfaces during periods of dryness. Direct my thoughts and paths so that those things that don’t belong are taken far from me. Help me to prepare the soil in my heart and mind to cultivate and nurture seed that will yield a bountiful harvest of fruit – not only in my own life, but in the lives of those around me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.