Of Picnics in the Valleys

"How do you handle that - the mountain... then the many valleys of your faith?"

At this very moment, this question asked by a person whose faith I really look up to, continues to ring in my mind. Apparently, my faith is in one long and wide valley that I can't seem to climb out of. Whenever, wherever I turn, seems like there's nothing but vast emptiness. However I try to connect, seems like God is nowhere to be found, to be heard... nor felt. And so... I decided to take a picnic in this valley.

This is something that scares me. And probably, not only me. Spiritual dryness isn't something we Christians are free from or spared of. What I'm having for the past weeks is a clear example of how the valleys of faith embrace us. This is the time when no matter how hard I try to pray, to read His word and reach out to Him... It just doesn't always feel right and complete and fulfilling. I just sometimes find myself silent, but distant from the saviour who has died on the cross for me.

It's the holy week, and I find myself complaining about having nothing else to do. I sleep late, wake up late and try to nibble around anything and everything just to make time pass by. I envy my friends who step out of their houses and offer their day in commemoration of the Lord's wonderful deeds. I always say to myself that given the time and resources, I would've and could've made this week more meaningful to me and my family. 

But here I am, ranting about not finding a torrent for the next episodes of my new favourite series.

~O~

In Mark 15:34, he cries out “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”) And just before writing this post , I was also in questions.. how come God has never filled my emptiness lately? Am I not that significant enough?

Apparently, in God's most mysterious yet marvellous plans, he allows (meaning He does not necessarily give this to us) us to feel this way. Probably because of the sins we committed, the things we are to stubborn to learn, ways we are to proud to accept - the things we cause ourselves; or simply because of his sovereignty. I'm not one to tell. 

But one thing I'm sure of is that God has always been there... and will always be. In the mountains, in the deserts and in the valleys of our lives, He will be there. Just as how forsaken Jesus has felt, or how abandoned we feel.. remember that God himself ROSE Jesus up. God did not simply pat Him on the back or gave Him a hug... but God, the God whom Jesus says has FORSAKEN Him.. ROSE HIM FROM THE DEAD.

This magnificence is promise enough for me to hold on.. to keep the faith even in this valley and dryness because I know one day... Jesus himself, God himself.. will redeem me. He will redeem us with a glory far much better than all the struggles that we face.. for He himself said through Paul that..

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us." Romans 8:18

It's just so wonderful to find out that with Jesus there is no reason to be anxious, or worried or fearful about. Yes, for me and for all the others in a spiritual standstill for now, it may still be a hard and long and dry journey off of this valley, but the thought of a battle already won and a greater glory ahead and a God that never forsakes nor leave his children... AMEN!

It may be convenient to just stop and take a picnic in the vast valley.. but the real feast is with Christ and in His kingdom. Everyone is invited, so get up your feet, take up your cross and trek the way of the Lord.

~O~

Thank you, Almighty Father, I am on my way... following your lead.