Dry Wells
Lately, as I'm sure you've noticed, I've been having difficulty coming up with devotions for these daily posts. I've experienced writer's block before, but this has been different. It's like the well of thoughts and ideas has completely run dry. I've prayed. I've read. I've searched. I've wracked my brain. Still, the ideas just won't come. The few ideas that did come my way were so bland that I really wasn't sure what to do with them.
I think part of the problem is that I usually write about things that are happening in my own life. My life has become rather sedentary lately, making it difficult to find new things to write about. Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that nothing is happening in my life. On the contrary, there's a lot going on; however, most of it is depressing, and I have no desire to talk about it. (Plus, I always feel like I'm whining when I get into stuff like that.) What I'm referring to is that most of my day is spent in front of my computer. Not much to write about there!
Another problem is that I've had a bad case of the "blahs" lately. You know about the "blahs," right? It's that state of mind where nothing seems to matter and the only consolation can be found in a piece of chocolate cake. Why have I had the "blahs"? I don't know. Why do any of us get the "blahs"? I think it happens when we take a good look at our lives and think, This isn't what I had in mind!
Regardless of the reason, my well of ideas has been dry lately. But in working on one of my books, I was reminded of a blog post the Lord gave me a while back. Through it, He reminded me how He handles dry wells. It was a blessing to me, and I pray it will bless you as well. Here's the post:
I am currently reading through the book of Isaiah, and I admit that a lot of it goes completely over my head. I have to be very careful when I read passages like this because I find myself reading the words without really paying attention to what I'm reading. I often catch myself doing this and make myself go back and read it again.
Every now and then, there is a verse or two that just jump off the page. I don't know why or how, but some verses reach out and grab me. The verse that really got my attention this morning was Isaiah 41:17. When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.
In our day, we have no idea what it means to be truly thirsty. I know I often say, "I'm about to die of thirst," but the truth is we are blessed and have no idea what it's like to go without water. But, I don't think this verse is just talking about water. I think it's talking about anything we may need. I don't think it would be harming the Scripture if we inserted another word in place of the word "water."
When the poor and needy seek money, and there is none. . .I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.
When the poor and needy seek peace, and there is none. . .I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.
When the poor and needy seek acceptance, and there is none. . .I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.
When the poor and needy seek love, and there is none. . .I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.
When the poor and needy seek employment, and there is none. . .I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.*
When the poor and needy seek companionship, and there is none. . .I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.
There are many words that we could fill in right there. Perhaps you even have one that describes what you are needing right now. The point is that no matter what we need, the Lord will hear our cries, and He will not forsake us. He has our best interest at heart. He will meet our needs in His own time. Our job is simply to trust Him.
*NOTE: At the time I wrote this chapter, my husband was getting laid off from his job. I had no idea! God was speaking to me before I knew I needed to hear it.