Neutrality

I would like to offer one more counsel to those who find themselves devoid of the presence of God. It is this: wait on God. Wait, silent and still. Wait, attentive and responsive. Learn that trust precedes faith. Faith is a little like putting your car into gear, and right now you cannot exercise faith, you cannot move forward. Do not berate yourself for this. But when you are unable to put your spiritual life into drive, do not put it into reverse; put it into neutral. Trust is how you put your spiritual life in neutral. Trust is confidence in the character of God. Firmly and deliberately you say, "I do not understand what God is doing or even where God is, but I know that he is out to do me good." This is trust. This is how to wait.
-Richard Foster, Prayer (24)

I love that Foster acknowledges the need at times to put our spiritual lives in neutral. I know I've found myself in that place - where I can't put my foot on the gas pedal to move forward. Perhaps I'm even tempted to put it in park, shut 'er down and start walking. I love this metaphor, though, and the recognition that neutral is not a bad place to be. I have certainly at times found myself idling in my faith but not for a lack of effort. Yet another of Foster's allures - his willingness to admit that it's not always easy.

Have you ever awakened to a day that you have absolutely no plans and you don't really realize it until that morning? What a gift. That's where I find myself today. A blank slate of a day. It is definitely a gift I look forward to opening; it's a chance to take a deep breath and get some oxygen as we prepare to start the marathon that is the school year. Sometimes neutral is a good place to be - not only in our spiritual lives, but in our constant striving toward productivity.