A college girl from our church sent me a text the other night saying she was struggling spiritually to find her place. She spent the summer interning at a church doing inner-city ministry. Coming home has caused her to face the struggle of trying to know what God wants her to do. She thought she had her life figured out, but now she thinks God wants more from her. Her relationship with God feels tough and awkward right now.
It reminded me of a principle God has taught me over the years that is incredibly important for all believers to understand. After a period of spiritual highs there will most always be a period of spiritual lows.
It even happened to Jesus. Consider His baptism experience: As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:10-11) This was certainly a high point for Jesus.
What happened next? At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. (Mark 1:12-13)
The spiritual highs are awesome! We need them. They make us more aware of God’s presence and glory in our life. Just don’t be surprised if the spiritual lows follow. (That process can, if we allow it to, make us more aware of God’s presence also.)
Ive certainly experienced this. Its great to be reminded that Jesus endured this as well