The Compass Chronicles Podcast
The Compass Chronicles: Faith, Fandom, and Life
Hosted by Javier
Welcome to The Compass Chronicles: Faith, Fandom, and Life, a podcast that navigates the intersections of belief, imagination, and real-world application. Hosted by Javier, this show brings together the thoughtful, Bible-based insights of Faith Compass and the pop culture-savvy heart of The Faithful Geek.
Each episode dives deep into scripture, asking big questions about God, purpose, and spiritual growth—while also celebrating the movies, music, comics, and fandoms that shape our culture. Whether we're unpacking theological themes through Marvel superheroes, anime arcs, or wrestling with tough truths from the Gospels, The Compass Chronicles offers a fresh, engaging perspective for anyone seeking to live out their faith in a modern, media-saturated world.
With thought-provoking conversations, honest reflections, and a whole lot of heart, Javier helps listeners explore what it means to follow Christ with both conviction and creativity.
This is not merely academic theology or mere fandom. It’s the real, raw, and relevant journey of walking by faith with a lightsaber in one hand and a Bible in the other.
The Compass Chronicles Podcast
When God Ghosts You: Dealing with Divine Silent Treatment
That moment when heaven goes quiet can shake even the strongest believer. The prayers that once flowed easily now feel like they're bouncing off the ceiling. The scripture that used to speak so clearly now reads flat on the page. And the question emerges – has God ghosted me?
Faith isn't always mountain-top moments and dramatic breakthroughs. Sometimes it's standing firm when the spiritual skies are cloudy, when God's presence feels distant, and when answers seem locked away. This spiritual dryness isn't a sign of failure or abandonment – it's often where the deepest spiritual growth happens in ways we can't immediately recognize.
Drawing from both biblical wisdom and unexpected pop culture parallels, we explore how characters from The Sandman to Dark Souls mirror our spiritual struggles in profound ways. From Psalm 18's promise of deer-like footing on difficult terrain to Isaiah's assurance that God leads us through unknown paths, scripture reminds us that divine silence isn't divine absence. As Henry Nouwen wisely observed, "In the silence, God is not absent but profoundly present, waiting for us to stop performing and start being."
The practical reality of holding on when God feels distant isn't about manufacturing spiritual experiences or forcing breakthrough moments. It's about the quiet courage of continuing to show up – opening scripture even when it feels dry, whispering prayers even when they feel one-sided, and reaching for community when isolation tempts. God hasn't abandoned the line; He's inviting us into a deeper trust that transcends feelings and circumstances. If you're walking through a spiritual desert right now, this episode offers both validation for your struggle and practical anchors for your journey forward.
I would love to hear from you!
For listeners looking to deepen their engagement with the topics discussed, visit our website or check out our devotionals and poetry on Amazon, with all proceeds supporting The New York School of The Bible at Calvary Baptist Church. Stay connected and enriched on your spiritual path with us!
Welcome to the Faithful Geek Podcast. I'm your host, jem Collectibles, and I'm really glad you're tuning in. Today we're diving into a topic that's honest and weighty those moments when it feels like God has gone silent, like he's disappeared off the radar. This episode is called when God Ghosts you Dealing with Divine Silent Treatment. It's a raw look at spiritual dryness and how we stay grounded when God seems distant. No fluff, just real talk about navigating the quiet. But before we jump in, let's take a moment to pray. Father, thank you for being near even when we can't feel you. Open our ears and soften our hearts as we explore this silence. Give us strength to persevere and eyes to see you in the dry seasons. Walk with us through this conversation In Jesus' name, amen. Let's begin with something we've all probably felt. When God goes quiet and it feels like the line has gone dead, you pray, you wait and it just feels empty. Spiritual dryness isn't neat. It's uncomfortable, isolating and can leave you wondering if God's really still there. But here's the thing holding on when God feels far away doesn't mean pretending everything's okay. It means staying in the struggle, even when it feels like you're alone in the rain.
Speaker 0:Let's talk comics for a moment, specifically Neil Gaiman's the Sandman, published by DC Vertigo. The character Dream lives in the quiet corners of the universe, often unseen. In the first volume, preludes and nocturnes. Dream is imprisoned for years, stripped of his power, unable to speak. Yet even in silence, his identity remains intact. That resonates when God is quiet. It doesn't mean he's gone. It means we're being invited to trust what we already know about him, even in the shadows. Think about Psalm chapter 18, verse 33. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer. He causes me to stand on the heights. It's not a verse you hear every day, but it's powerful. God's strength doesn't vanish when he's silent. It's constant, like a steady current beneath still waters. His silence isn't distance. It's often another form of presence.
Speaker 0:Let's consider a thought from Henry Nouwen, the Dutch priest and writer. In his book the Way of the Heart, he writes Solitude does not give us the power to control, but the strength to surrender. That strikes a chord In a society hooked on constant action and answers. God often draws us into stillness instead. Nouwen's point is clear the silence isn't barren. It's where we find the courage to let go and grow.
Speaker 0:Here's another angle from pop culture the band Twenty One Pilots in their song Car Radio from the album Vessel has this haunting line. I have these thoughts so often. I ought to replace that slot with what I once bought, cause somebody stole my car radio and now I just sit in silence. It's an honest portrayal of sitting in stillness when all distractions are stripped away. That's what spiritual dryness feels like, when the noise fades and you're left with just yourself. And that's where faith begins to grow, right there in the quiet.
Speaker 0:The world doesn't really understand this. It tells us to fill the silence with something anything but. As followers of Christ, we're called to sit with the silence and stay rooted. It's not about chasing a spiritual high. It's about believing God is still with us, even if we don't hear Him. Dryness is an abandonment. It's a chapter, not the end of the story.
Speaker 0:So how do we hold on in these dry spells? It's simple, but not easy. Just keep showing up. Open your Bible even when it feels dry. Whisper a prayer, even if it feels one-sided. Reach out to someone who's walked this road before. This isn't about forcing a breakthrough. It's about staying present even when the skies feel empty. That's how we endure the silence raw, honest and real. Let's keep going. When God feels silent. It's like a well that's run dry. You're thirsty, desperate and scraping for something. Anything that kind of spiritual drought can make holding on feel like grabbing sand. But maybe it's not about waiting for a flood, maybe it's about discovering the small stream that still flows, the one that sustains you. Just enough, let's look at anime Cowboy Bebop.
Speaker 0:Spike Spiegel is a bounty hunter, drifting through space, looking for purpose in the midst of silence. In episode 5, ballad of Fallen Angels, spike is falling literally and emotionally, grappling with his past, no answers in sight. But he doesn't give up. He keeps drifting, keeps going. That's a picture of faith in the dry times. We may not have the full picture, but we keep taking the next step.
Speaker 0:Now consider 2 Chronicles 16, 9,. For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth. That he may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. That's not a thunderous declaration, it's a quiet assurance. God isn't ignoring us. He's watching, ready to support us. His silence isn't Him turning away. It's Him inviting us to stay close. Author Brendan Manning in the Furious Longing of God says In the silence, god is not absent but profoundly present, waiting for us to stop performing and start being. That's a powerful shift.
Speaker 0:We often assume silence means we've failed, but maybe it's where God draws closest, inviting us to rest rather than strive. Holding on in these moments is less about doing and more about being. Let's jump into gaming. An example would be the Dark Souls 2 video game. You're this cursed character wandering through a bleak world where even the air feels heavy. There are no clear directions, just the quiet and your resolve. It's tough, but every step matters. That spiritual dryness. It's not always about grand victories. It's about showing up, Trusting that each step forward matters, even when it doesn't feel like it.
Speaker 0:In today's world, silence is avoided. We drown it out with media scrolling, constant chatter. But we, as Christians, are invited to be different. Silence doesn't mean something is wrong. It often means we're growing. God isn't asking for polished performances. He's asking for presence. So, practically, what does this look like? Stay rooted. When the silence feels endless, don't run. Plant your feet. Open scripture, even if it reads flat Pray, even if all you can offer is a whisper. Talk with someone who gets it.
Speaker 0:This isn't about ending the drought. It's about learning to live through it, knowing God is still the source. Let's shift a little. When God goes silent, it's like your signals drop. No bars, no messages, just static. That kind of dryness can feel like you've been forgotten. But here's the truth. It's not about chasing the connection, it's about trusting the call is still active, even if you can't hear the ring. Let's talk about some metal music, like the band Underworld's song titled Writing on the Walls from their album Define the Great Line.
Speaker 0:That line is maybe we're just sleepwalking captures the confusion and yearning in the silence. When the world is loud and God is quiet, it's tempting to sleepwalk through faith, but instead we stay awake, we wrestle, we wait, even when the silence screams louder than the noise. Job 13.15 says Though he slay me, I will hope in him. Nevertheless I will argue my ways to his face. That's raw faith he holds on. Silence doesn't erase hope. It tests it and through the testing it refines it. Francis Chan, in his book Forgotten God, reminds us we forget that God's primary goal is not to make us comfortable but to make us holy. That's a hard truth. Spiritual dryness isn't a punishment, it's a process. God isn't ghosting us, he's refining us. And holding on through the silence means trusting that the discomfort has a purpose.
Speaker 0:Let's bring in the legend of Zelda Majora's Mask. You've got three days to save a world that feels doomed. The moon looms overhead and Link has no flashy speeches, just a quiet determination to keep going. That's what spiritual dryness feels like. We might not hear the music, but we keep moving, trusting the composer is still conducting. The world runs from silence. It fills the gaps with distractions and noise, but as believers we're called to stand still, even in the quiet.
Speaker 0:Dryness isn't defeat. It's the hard soil where deep roots grow. How do we endure it With courage? When the darkness feels close, don't flee. Stay grounded. Read the word, even when it feels like routine Pray, even if it's a sigh. Sit with friends who understand.
Speaker 0:It's not about escaping the silence. It's about embracing it, knowing God is still there with you. When God is silent, it's about embracing it, knowing God is still there with you. When God is silent, it's like you're wandering without a compass, no pun intended. You're unsure where to go, feeling lost in a haze. Spiritual dryness can feel like drifting. Holding on in those moments means finding your footing, even when you can't see the path.
Speaker 0:Let's talk about one of my favorite manga and the original anime from 1997. We are talking about Berserk. The character Guts walks through unimaginable pain. After the eclipse he's broken silent, yet he still picks up his sword and moves forward. That's the image of faith. In the dry places we might feel shattered, but we keep going, even when it's dark. Isaiah, chapter 42, verse 16, says I will lead the blind by a way they do not know, in paths they do not know. I will guide them. I will make darkness into light before them and rugged places into plains. That's a promise. God's silence doesn't mean he's lost us. It means he's leading us even when we can't see.
Speaker 0:Christian author Elizabeth Elliot wrote in Passion and Purity the growth of all living things requires waiting, and waiting is not easy. That's real talk. Dry seasons aren't fast. They stretch us, and holding on through them means trusting God's pace, not forcing our own. Folk music gives us another picture Fleet foxes in helplessness.
Speaker 0:Blues reflect on searching for meaning in quiet spaces. The line I was raised up believing I was somehow unique carries the weight of introspection. That's what dryness brings. It peels back the noise so we can rediscover who we are in Him. The world hates waiting. It wants instant clarity.
Speaker 0:But Christians know that fog isn't failure. It's part of the journey. We hold on, not because we see, but because we trust we are still seen. Practically, this means staying grounded when the compass spins. Take a breath, stay rooted in Scripture, even when it's slow. Off In scripture, even when it's slow. Offer up your prayers, even when they feel empty. Reach for steady hands. It's not about clearing the fog, it's about walking through it together. When God is quiet, it can feel like the fire's gone out. You're sitting in ashes, wondering if the flame will ever return. Spiritual dryness can leave you cold. But here's the truth. The coals are still burning even when the blaze is gone.
Speaker 0:In the Last of Us, a weary traveler pushes forward through a shattered, desolate land. There's a scene by a crumbling bridge still haunting unanswered. Yet he lingers. He doesn't turn back. That's the picture of endurance. You don't need all the solutions, you just need to keep standing there. Psalm 46, verse 10 says Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth. That's striking. God's call to stillness is an abandonment. It's a steady, unshakable presence. He remains with us.
Speaker 0:Dallas Willard, in Hearing God writes Silence is not the absence of God, but the presence of a living will that does not need to speak to be real. That changes everything. Dryness doesn't mean God is gone. It means he's working beyond what we can hear. Think of John Coltrane's jazz classic, nema. The music is soft, spacious and powerful. Coltrane lets the pauses breathe. That's how God often works in the spaces between the noise. When we let the silence sit, we may find he's been there all along. The world chases constant stimulation, but we can embrace the quiet.
Speaker 0:Dryness isn't defeat. It's an invitation to deeper faith. We stay, not because it's easy, but because it's worth it. What does that look like? It looks like tending to the little things. Open your Bible even when the pages feel silent. Pray even if all you can offer is a sigh. Share the journey with someone who understands. It's not about reigniting the fire. It's about trusting that it still burns. Let's take one more turn. When God is silent, it can feel like the stage is empty no lights, no sound, just you and the quiet. It can feel like the show's over, but maybe the director is still at work behind the scenes.
Speaker 0:In the comic book Preacher by Garth Innes and Steve Dillon, jesse Custer is searching for God, literally In issue number one. He's confused and hurt, but he keeps going, he keeps searching. That's what we do. When God is quiet, we keep showing up. Micah, chapter 7, verse 8, says Do not rejoice over me, o my enemy. Though I fall, I will rise. Though I dwell in darkness, the Lord is a light for me. That's a declaration. Darkness doesn't get the final word. God is still the light, even in the shadows. Thomas Merton once wrote in his book titled no man is an Island. True solitude is found in the wilderness of the heart, where God speaks without words. That's where transformation begins. The barren places peel back our layers, exposing who we really are, and it's in that rawness that God steps in.
Speaker 0:In Billie Eilish's Everything I Wanted, there's a line. I tried to scream but my head was underwater. It's a hushed, desperate vibe of plea that doesn't explode but simmers beneath the surface. No dazzling miracles or epic fanfare, just a fragile strand of hope, keeping it together in the dark. Faith doesn't always roar. Sometimes it's the quiet hum we grip when the chaos dims. The world might gloss over these low-key beats, but we hang on. Emptiness isn't a flop, it's raw faith. We don't bail, we stick it out. So how do we stay? We stay seated when the stage goes dark. Don't leave. Read, pray, hold space with others. It's not about curtain calls, it's all about trust. When God is silent it can feel like the line has gone dead no signal, no sound. But holding on means believing the call hasn't ended. God is still on the other side.
Speaker 0:In Ghost, in the Shell, major questions her soul in a quiet world. In the final scene she's still silent, but full of resolve. That's us. Even without clarity, we remain rooted in who God is. Psalm, chapter 37, verse 7 tells us Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him. 37, verse 7 tells us rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him. That's our posture Stillness, trust. God hasn't disappeared. He's inviting us to lean in. Cs Lewis, in A Grief Observed, says I need Christ, not something that resembles him. That's honest. In silence we find the real Christ, not the image but the substance. And we hold on.
Speaker 0:Kavinsky's Night Call from Outrun sets a slow, haunting tone. It's a call through the dark. That's spiritual dryness. We're not shouting into the void, we're trusting the line is still open. The world drops the call, but we stay on. Dryness doesn't mean we're disconnected, it means we're waiting. We hold on, not because it's clear but because he is near. So how do we keep the connection. Stay dialed in. Read scripture, pray through the silence, stay close to those who walk with you. It's not about forcing a conversation. It's about trusting the relationship.
Speaker 0:We've explored some heavy territory today, those seasons when God goes quiet and the silence feels like a wall. But here's your anchor God is still here. If you're sensing the need to grab hold of Him, even through the silence, do it now. Say yes to trusting Him. Say yes to staying in the journey, even when it's hard. He's not far, he's right there with you. Let's pray, lord. Thank you for being constant even in the silence. Give us strength to endure the dry seasons. Help us hold on and draw us closer through the quiet. Meet each listener today in a real and personal way. In Jesus' name, amen.
Speaker 0:If today's episode resonated with you, explore more faith-building resources at thecrossroadscollectiveorg, where you will find the Crossroads Library, which has free downloadable devotionals. Also, please feel free to reach out to me anytime at jm at thecrossroadscollectiveorg or at thecrossroadsot at gmailcom. But before we close, I want to invite you to a life-changing moment. If you're ready to step into a relationship with Jesus, to find forgiveness, peace and a fresh start, take this step with me. Simply say Jesus, I need you. I believe you died for me and rose again. Forgive my sins, fill me with your spirit and lead me into the life you have for me. If you just prayed with me, then welcome to the family and my heart jumps for joy. I also suggest you join a Bible preaching church. Search out friends who will help you on your new life. Thank you for being part of the Faithful Geek podcast. This is JM Collectibles, and remember to level up your faith and geek out for God Until next time. God bless you.
