Dry, Desolate Place

Maybe I should fill you in a little more about where I’ve been the last few months with my faith. Because it isn’t exactly clean and tidy. My faith can be more accurately described as a two-week-old blueberry muffin. It looks like something sweet and moist, but it’s really just dry and stale.

I don’t even really know why I’ve been so dry.

My routine hasn’t changed. Church. Worship music. Early morning quiet times. Prayer. Fellowship. You know, the “things” of the Christian faith. The “things” that are known to increase your intimacy with God. The “things” that keep you going strong. But really, I’m just reading just to be reading—nothing really pops out at me off the page. I’ll pray, but it’s a checklist of things. Please give baby health. Please give Brandon strength and encouragement. Please don’t let me throw up anymore. I’ll sing the right words in church, but it’s just my mouth moving. I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing, but that’s all. It’s been a long and tedious road.

And the truth? I’ve been working really hard at the motions of faith without any true investment in what I’m doing. I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. I’m doing what I know is right, but my head isn’t in the game. I’m tired. I’m busy. I’ve got too many things to do. And it takes a lot of energy to focus, especially when it comes to our spiritual lives for some reason.

So where does it leave me? Dry. And stale.

Which is why the story of Mephibosheth stuck out to me last week (Samuel 2, chapter 9). Several years ago, he was whisked away by his nanny when King Saul (his grandpa) and Jonathan (his father) died in battle and it looked liked David would be next in line. Mephibosheth’s life would have been in danger as one of the successors to the throne because under normal circumstances, a new king outside the family would kill any potential threats. So Mephibosheth went into hiding, year after year, afraid for his life in a place called Lo-debar. This is significant, because Lo-debar means “pasture less place.” It was all sand. And rocks. And desolate. And dry.

But then there’s David—king over Israel now for about 15 years when he remembers a promise to look after Jonathan’s family. He discovers Mephibosheth is alive, and immediately calls for his presence in the palace. The poor man, living until now in hardship and exile, is brought in front of David, probably expecting to be killed or enslaved after all this time.

But David is different. His first words are “don’t be afraid” before he proceeds to bless Mephibosheth in two amazing ways. First, he gives Mephibosheth full possession of King Saul’s land. I love this because it had to be the best land in Israel. He’d no longer have to work in the dry and desolate place to make his way. The land was likely already cultivated for him. He went from nothing to the best of something with a single gesture from David.

Secondly, David invites Mephibosheth to eat at the King’s table. Not just for a day, but for the rest of his life. Do you realize what this means? He would have the friendship and communion with the king from now on. He could feast on the things he’d been missing for so many years. And he’d be truly full—completely without want.

I love the symbolism behind this story. Mephibosheth was expecting the worst after spending so long in the dry, desolate place, but he was blessed beyond what he could have ever guessed. This is what stands out to me:

1. Mephibosheth was called out by David.
2. He was taken from dryness and given fruit.
3. And he was restored in relationship to the king.

Just like Mephibosheth, I’ve been in a dry, desolate place. But God has been calling for me—pricking at my heart—to quit hiding and step forward with my faith. He wants me to get real with the “things” I’ve been doing and realize just “doing” won’t get me anywhere. No matter how hard I work in the dry, desolate place, I will never be fruitful while running away from communication with the King. And just as soon as I decided to really show up—as soon as I made a real commitment to invest in my faith—He was there, ready to pick up where we left off. Ready to figuratively feast with me—to completely fill up my spiritual stomach.

And of course things aren’t perfect, but they’re getting better. I’m remembering what it’s like to get something out of my Bible study. I’m seeing the benefit of true prayer time. Every day for the past two weeks, I’ve felt encouraged, strengthened by spending real time with God. All I needed to do was acknowledge where I’ve been and respond to the call.

Are you in Lo-Debar? What will it take to call you back?

Come with me.