We all get into spiritual ruts, and there are many reasons. Have I overcommitted, trying to do good things but leaving out the best thing? Am I harboring some secret sin like bitterness or anger that keeps me holding God at arm’s length? Has He allowed me to run headlong into the wall of my dreams and desires so I will turn to Him to discover His dreams for me? And even worse, are my prayers and quiet times all about me, rarely about Him?

God says in Jeremiah 29:13 that when we seek Him we will find Him. So I sought Him, I got alone with Him. No distractions, no agenda, no phone. What He revealed was painful.

My husband and I have had some tough times lately. Financial and health problems. Various family issues. And while He has brought us through those things, He lovingly showed me that my heart has gotten crusty and hard. I secretly didn’t like His timetable and was harboring anger toward Him. I was hiding these feelings—sins—under an oh-so-spiritual façade. The reason for my dry season was sin and pretending.

When your spiritual life seems dry, sometimes He wants to see if you’ll pursue Him. Sometimes you may have sin in your life. Or perhaps He wants you to learn to sit quietly at His feet. In the meantime do what you know to do. Pray. Love. Serve. Tithe. Worship.