Hidden Not Forgotten
I don’t know if you have ever been in a position where you feel like no one sees you, that you're overlooked for every task, that you aren't being 'used' by God. I certainly have gone in and out of seasons like this.
I have only every really known two churches. The first one I went to till I was about 10. My mum was on staff, I knew all the pastors, my brother and I would spend every second day at church helping and we were both on the Kids Praise Team.
This was all we knew but God had called our family to move. It was so strange going to a new church where no one knew us, we were just kids but we had been serving in church as long as we could remember and we felt powerless to make an impact.
In the 11 years since, God has shown me time and time again that there a seasons of hiding and there are seasons where he illuminates us - but we need to give the control of when those seasons start and end to him. Because he is the one who truly knows when we will be ready.
I remember I started taking singing lessons when I was 12 and by about two years later had gained some confidence. So when an opportunity at school came about to form a worship band with some others, I thought 'this is it', 'this is how God is going to use me!'. So before even praying about it I jumped in and I totally bombed.
I distinctly remember singing at the end of year assembly, totally unprepared and completely out of tune and I knew it. That is when I got the revelation that I had completely forced MY dream in what I thought was the best timing, rather then trusting God, the dreams and plans he had for my life and his perfect timing.
'Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. '
Proverbs 3:5-6
'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. 'As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.'
Isaiah 55:8-9
From then on I went through different seasons of one day dancing to thousands of people at a church conference and the next year I would sitting by myself at a church service.
One day I was a youth leader, knew so many people and the next year I joined the university ministry and knew no one. It was tough and I didn't understand why I was going through it.
In all honesty - I got angry at God, I thought 'Why have you isolated me, why does no one pray for me, what did I do to deserve this?'. But God would just softly say 'You are not alone'.
God was teaching me humility, he was teaching me grace, he was teaching me that he was truly the best source of everything I needed.
He was teaching me the importance of cheering others on even when you're not the one getting that prophesy or healing. He was teaching me to give up my dreams, my ego, my gifts and going 'God even if you are the only one that sees me, I'll keep living sold out for you.'
'Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time. '
1 Peter 5:6
In God's great wisdom and love he hides us because he truly wants us to be prepared to FULLY walk in everything he has called us to. He has not forgotten us and we are not overlooked, even though we sometimes feel like it.
Instead of thinking God hides us because we have NO value, we need to know that he hides us because we have SO much value!!! And God knows that as soon as you are on the 'radar' that devil is going to do everything in his power to stop you! So he wants to make sure you are armed with his word, his presence and his power!!!
'Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. '
James 1:2-4
So whilst it's hard - you are not alone! In fact this is the best time to lean in to God's presence and his word! I've received some of the greatest encounters and visions from God in these times - where it was just me and him!
So shake off those feelings of insecurity and isolation and embrace this hidden season! Now is the time to FUEL UP so you are ready to run the race that lies ahead!
