Isaiah 55:1, “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.”

My family and I enjoy road trips. On our road trips we have cruised north along the scenic California coast on Highway 101. At other times, we have driven over the majestic, snow-capped Cascade mountains to eastern Washington State. On other road trips we have driven across the desert to Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico along Interstates 10, 40, and 80. Driving in the desert can be boring as the freeway stretches for countless miles in a straight line. There is little beauty in the desert scenery except for the scattered cactus plants, grey jugged rocks and tumbleweeds. However, the monotonous drive is broken by a small geographical patch of rich vegetation with tall palm trees, shops and housing. These areas are called the oases. Oases are areas with rich green vegetation, usually located above a spring or desert river. Oases provide life giving water, creating an environment conducive for human habitation and farming. 

 Often in life, we experience times of spiritual dryness – the desert of the soul. None of us is immune to the occasional times of spiritual dryness. These are times where God seems far. These are times when prayers seem to go unanswered. These are times of severe challenges such as terminal illness, loss of employment, relationships breakdown, divorce, or death of a loved one. These are times when the spiritual experiences and divine encounters are rare. Reading the Bible or going to church becomes a painful chore. 

Like the drive in the desert where we occasionally come across an oasis in the desert, times of spiritual refreshment will soon appear. If you are going through times of spiritual dryness – the desert of the soul, I encourage you to keep trusting God. Soon, your spirit will be refreshed. 

Pray. If you have lost your zeal for God. If you have lost your original love for God and His people, I encourage you to pray for a spiritual oasis experience. I challenge you to humble yourself before God. Cry out to Him. Forsake the things which have stolen your heart, luring you away from God. For proper spiritual refreshment, go on a retreat, away from the gadgets, technology and any distractions. Ask God to refresh your dry soul. Tell God you desire His fresh presence.

Reach out. Speak with a mentor, counselor, your pastor, or a friend who can breathe life and passion back into your life. Spend time who have a contagious passion for God. They will soon impart their enthusiasm onto you.

Read. Read the Bible, particularly the Psalms. Read about the men and women of God who struggled yet sought after God. Read books about people who have experienced spiritual dryness, yet they searched for God’s presence. It is through reading that our minds are opened to the possibilities we cannot grasp in the now.

Music. Play some music. Music is a healing catalyst. Music leads you closer to God. It elevates your senses, so you feel the presence of the divine. Music transforms your mood. Let God heal you through music which speaks to the soul.

God is ready to refresh, restore, and rejuvenate your soul. Are you?