A deep truth that many of us find hard to accept during hard times is that God hides us on purpose so that He can show us later. This idea, which we could call “the process of divine purpose,” is beautifully shown in John 12:24: “There will only be one seed of wheat until it falls to the ground and dies.” It makes many seeds if it dies, though.
Our natural tendency is to want to be seen, known, and have an impact. We want to be seen, to feel like our skills are important, and to be validated. However, God’s ways are very different from ours. Romans 8:28 says that “all things work together for the good of those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Pay attention to how the focus is on purpose—not comfort or immediate pleasure, but divine reason.
Think about what a seed does. Any seed has a lot of potential, but that potential stays locked up unless the seed is covered in darkness. As a seed is hidden, it goes through a kind of death. Only then can it achieve its purpose and grow fruit. In the same way, our best potential often comes out after times of darkness, hardship, and what seems like burial.
It can be really hard to find these secret seasons. We might feel like God has forgotten about us, passed us by, or left us. But these times of year are never lost. During these times, God is working behind the scenes to build our character, make our goals clearer, and clean our hearts. As pictures used to be developed in darkrooms, so too does God’s work on us often in the dark. These hard times show us who we are and help us see more clearly what we’re supposed to become.
There are many cases of this pattern in the Bible. Before God told him what his role was, Joseph was a slave and a prisoner for 13 years. Before he led Israel, Moses lived in the desert for 40 years. Before taking God up on his promise, Abraham had to leave his home country, his family, and his father’s house. He had to leave behind things that were known to him, people who helped him, and who he was. In all of these cases, division came before multiplication.
Even when our support systems mean well, they can sometimes hold us back. They might make us more dependent instead of helping us grow, or they might strengthen identities that aren’t in line with God’s plan. God often has to take us away from these things so that we can find our true identity in Him and build the strength and character we need for our mission.
The day God finally shows you will come at just the right time and for the right reason. A lot of the time, we think we’re ready before we really are. Just like a cake needs enough time in the oven, we need to be properly prepared before we can stand in the role God has planned for us. We could “fall” like a raw cake if we are exposed too soon.
We give up our own goals and align ourselves with God’s plan. That is the end goal of this process. When we ask “Lord, what do you want me to do?” instead of “How can I be seen?” we make a change. This change is what spiritual growth is all about. When we let go of our pride, our need to be independent, and our own goals, God can use us for His glory.
Don’t forget that you are perfect for God’s plan for you. You don’t have to know everything or have all the answers. God picks people who know their limits because they are less likely to take credit for things that only He can do. When you give in to His process and believe in His timing, your potential is endless.
Don’t worry if you’re in a secret season right now. You haven’t been forgotten; we’re getting ready for you. When the time is right, the seed of purpose inside you will grow and produce many good things for the glory of God. So trust the process and welcome the darkness.
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