I want to start by telling you about something that happened to me, a few weeks ago.

It was a Sunday morning. I was really anxious as I was due to preach at my church that morning.

It was only my second time giving a message… and the first time was extremely nerve-wracking! (Imagine: Shaky hands, stressed-out face, didn’t make sense until half-way through!)

This time, however, I started preaching and all anxiety left me. Words simply flew out. God gave me confidence.

After preaching, people came and told me how the words I spoke were significant to them. The stories I shared had encouraged them. I was even able to pray with a couple of people. I had remarkable conversations about what God was doing in people’s lives.

Later that day, I was walking beside our local river. I soon noticed a dramatic sky: heavy, dark clouds drawn on light, romantic colours. It was wonderful. I felt God’s presence.

I started to think about the stories that I had shared at church that morning…

• Stories of God leading me out of fear and pain.
• Stories of God renewing my mind.
• Stories of God showing me His kindness.

I marvelled at God’s grace as I began to realise that every single story I had shared that day was a story that once began with pain, confusion or despair.

I was able to now share those stories as testimonies of God’s goodness.

Why? Because God had turned those painful, desperate and confusing situations around.

I’ve had a number of moments recently, where a situation or scenario turned out better than I expected because God made it that way. He showed up.

I had a simple moment, one morning, where I was confused about a work thing… so I picked up the phone and called someone to get help!

I know this sounds odd, but as I put down the phone I marvelled at what God had done in me.

Five years ago, I would have never just rang someone and told them I didn’t know what I was doing! I would have stressed about it. I would have let imposter syndrome play out a dramatic saga.

I reflected on this idea that God grows us, if we let Him.

My daughter is 3.5 years old. She is growing really fast and it is really evident to see. Her language is developing, her ability to ask questions and participate in fascinating conversations. I don’t see exactly how she grows, day by day, but I know that she is growing and the evidence is clear to me.

I think it is like that with each of us. Sometimes we can’t see what God is growing in us, day to day. Sometimes we don’t understand exactly what He is doing in us. But then one day evidence of growth will just happen. We will notice it. And it won’t be our doing, it will be all glory to God.

What I wanted to say to you today is: Trust in what you cannot see. The bible says:

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, NIV.

I don’t really know where this finds you, but what I do know is that God wants to grow something amazing in you.

And I want to tell you: Don’t fight it.

Since the moment I became a Christian, 10 years ago, I knew I was going to write. I knew that there was some kind of calling on my life there, however cheesy that sounds.

But, 10 years ago I had very little confidence.

Back then:

• I did not know that having two small children would grow my ability to ask for help.
• I did not know that going through birth trauma would cement my confidence in God’s faithfulness.
• I did not know that having anxiety would grow my faith in a God who heals.

You see, God often tells us one thing… and then takes us in a seemingly opposite direction!

When God told me I was going to write, I dreamt about blogs and books – the good stuff. I know it sounds silly, but I didn’t think God was going to lead me through some painful stuff so that I could write from my experience!

I don’t believe that God caused painful things in my life, but I believe He got me through and taught me how to write about His faithfulness.

And so, I am sitting here today, looking at some of the things, which God has grown in me: Confidence, faith and trust.

I am believing that He is going to grow something good in you too, if you let Him.

I think someone needs to hear this today: The path that you are on is the right one.

• Yep, it looks wonky, in your eyes.
• Yep, it looks like no one else’s path.

But God has put you on it. And he is developing something in you that you might not be able to name, just now.

Earlier, I was thinking about one of the qualities that I admire in a good leader. I am going to name this quality: Interruptability.

I love leaders that will stop and listen to you, or stop and correct you.

Even though they have vision and mission, they will pause to take care of the one in front of them before steamrolling ahead with the latest business or ministry idea.

Leaders that are interruptible are incredible. They are often humble and empathetic. Relatable and empowering to others, not just selfish and concerned with their own growth and power.

I want to be like that.

I want God to grow that thing in me: Interruptability.

But the fact is, the process of God growing that thing in me is going to be messy.

I know that I am not going to like being interrupted. Because I am quite a focused person. I’m also an easily influenced person, so listening to other people’s ideas and holding them lightly might be challenging.

Perhaps you are reading this and you don’t think God is growing anything in you. Maybe you are actively resisting whatever it is He is trying to nourish in your heart.

Let me tell you: Discipline hurts at the time, but there is much delight in the end result.

The bible says:

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Hebrews 12:11, NIV.

Let God discipline you; let Him grow something in you that will result in you becoming a better spouse, parent, friend or leader.

Whoever you are, please don’t despise what you are going through because there will be a day when you look back and say: “WOW. LOOK AT WHAT GOD DID IN ME!”

And it will be a good day. The bible also says:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds,because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1: 2 – 4. NIV.

Don’t you want to be mature, complete and not lacking in anything?

I know I do.

Take heart, friend, because God is with you and He is doing something amazing.

This time of year, as we celebrate Christmas, we can remember the first Christmas when God showed up on earth, as a baby.

The characters in the Christmas story didn’t know what God was going to do in their lives.

• Those shepherds didn’t know that angels would appear on that dark night.
• Those magi didn’t predict such a wondrous star would guide them to such great hope.
• Joseph never thought he would father God’s own son.
• Mary did not expect to be pregnant with such a precious babe.

But look how it all panned out. God rolled out an incredibly detailed plan that changed everything.

Maybe, it’s just another day for you. A day of dirty nappies, “what’s-for-dinner” or difficult colleagues.

…But, perhaps, behind the scenes God is up to something amazing.

• Something that will one day make you marvel at His faithfulness to you.
• Something that will someday make you realise how far you have come.

Don’t quit. Don’t relent. Don’t give in to temptation.

I am believing for a new chapter, for you. As I step into my own, I am confident that He can do so much with a seemingly ordinary life.

Please take hold of this encouragement and believe that God is working something out in you that will one day make you go: “I didn’t realise He was doing that in me!”

He loves you. He promised to never leave you. He hasn’t finished that good thing in you, yet. Let it play out with faith and hope and joy.