*“When the Soul Feels Empty but Heaven is Speaking”*
> But when the young man heard this, he left grieving and distressed, for he owned much property and had many possessions [which he treasured more than his relationship with God].Matthew 19:22 AMP
Spiritual dryness is not always the absence of God—it is often the hidden language of God. What feels like distance can actually be a divine invitation to deeper surrender. Dryness is never meaningless: In Psalms, David cries, _“My soul thirsteth for thee…” (Psalm 63:1)_ — dryness became desperation for God.
Consider the account in Matthew 19. The rich young ruler came to Jesus with passion, morality, and hunger for eternal life. Yet beneath his outward obedience lay an unrecognized dryness—a subtle void that obedience alone had not filled. _“If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor… and come and follow me.” (Matthew 19:21, KJV)_. Jesus did not expose sin alone—He exposed attachment. He did not deny the man’s goodness—He revealed his incompleteness.
The young ruler walked away sorrowful, not rebellious. His tragedy was not wickedness—but misinterpretation. He felt the tension but called it loss, not calling. He experienced emptiness but chose comfort over consecration
He encountered truth but resisted transformation. Spiritual dryness, when misunderstood, leads us to: Seek relief instead of revelation, Choose security over surrender, Protect what God is asking us to release.
When dryness comes, we stand at a holy threshold. The question is not “Why do I feel this?” but “What is God asking of me through this?” The rich young ruler encountered Jesus—but refused the cost of fullness. He chose to remain successful yet unfulfilled.
Spiritual dryness is dangerous only when ignored. But when understood, it becomes: A refining fire, A call to deeper intimacy, A gateway to true discipleship. Dryness is not your enemy—it is your invitation. Do not walk away sorrowful.
_Lay down what you cannot keep……and receive what you cannot lose._
Your brother in Christ,
Apostle Ashok Martin