Field guide · Weather
Us with Godand Dry Seasons
Forecast: drought conditions, with prayers that seem to hit the ceiling.
Four tired ways to walk
Each has some truth in it. None of them is the whole story.
Under GodSheep that hide from the Shepherd
God feels far because I’ve disappointed him; I need to try harder.
Over GodSheep that know the way
My spiritual disciplines need an upgrade; maybe a new Bible plan will fix it.
From GodSheep that follow the grass
Where are the feelings I used to get from worship?
For GodSheep trying to be the sheepdog
Feelings don’t matter; I’ll just keep doing the work and stop asking.
When God feels far, lament is still talking to him.
The Bible gives us words for the dry times. “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?” (Ps 13:1). “My soul thirsts for God” (Ps 42:2). These are prayers, and they are in the book. Feeling far from God is not the same as God being far. Elijah didn’t find him in the wind or the fire, but in a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:11–13). Keep talking, even if all you can say is “where are you?”
Where the Shepherd isHe has been here himself. On the cross he prayed, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matt 27:46).
Pray Ps 13 slowly today as your own words.
Where are you, Lord? I’m still here, and I’m still asking.
Fellow travelers
People in Scripture who walked this ground before us.
- The writer of the forty-second psalm argued with his own downcast soul and kept hoping in God (Ps 42:5).
- Elijah waited on the mountain through wind, quake, and fire until the quiet came (1 Kings 19:11–13).
Keep walking
- With God: Sheep that know his voicethe posture every entry points to
- Which Way Are You Walking?a short self-check
- The Field Guideevery entry, by terrain, weather and crossing