
Growth in the Dark
Even when all seems calamitous and broken, God continues His work through the mess of this fallen world, bringing light out of the darkness, growth out of the pain.
Between wet weather and other major jobs, we left the garden to its own devices for a considerable amount of time.
As with all these things, mowing the yard managed to reach the top of the list. Warm and wet conditions meant that the grass was long. So, once the grass was cut, there were some works around the edges that needed to be carried out. I tackled these jobs in small stages to make things look respectable for Christmas.
During that process, I discovered, under a heap of grass, a plant that had flowered. So, what is remarkable about that? This plant only flowers in winter, and here we are in the middle of December.
The tall stands of grass kept it cool and dark enough to trick it into thinking it was still winter.
As I looked at the flower, I thought about how we are living in dark times. Just as the plant managed to flower in the dark, so many of us are continuing to grow, behind the dark headlines and struggles of a broken world.
God Sees All
Just because the world cannot see the beauty and growth that God brings to our lives during our dark times, doesn’t mean it isn’t there. It still exists. He can see it and He rejoices in it.
“For nothing is hidden, that will not be revealed;
nor anything secret, that will not be known and come to light.”
~ Luke 8:17
The world puts so much emphasis on being visible, even during lockdowns people were encouraged to get on Zoom or do videos just to be seen. Yet, as I discovered today, dark places produce the most wonderful creations of our Father God.
What an encouragement for each of us. The world is a very dark place. Be encouraged, God is creating growth, beautiful growth behind all that darkness, and one day it will be revealed for everyone to see.
Prayer:
God, please strengthen our faith, to know that Your work is still being done even in the darkest places of our world. If we rest in You and stay where You have planted us, You will do a great thing and it will be something astonishing. Amen.
___
Photo by Vero Photoart on Unsplash.
Recent Articles:
31 August 2026
7.8 MINS
Tasmania's Parliament is moving to treat ordinary Christian parenting and pastoral care as a problem to be regulated, and in the Greens’ bill, as a crime.
31 August 2026
6.9 MINS
Silicon Valley says "move fast and break things." But Christian leadership follows a different standard—one measured not in speed or disruption, but in patience, character, and people faithfully formed over time.
31 August 2026
7.8 MINS
While evangelicals rally politically behind Israel, few schools teach why. The King's University builds Jewish studies, anti-supersessionist theology, and antisemitism scholarship into its academic core.
28 August 2026
5 MINS
Dolly Parton has died at 80, leaving behind a legacy of faith, generosity, and music. Tributes are pouring in from celebrities, politicians, and everyday fans she touched.
28 August 2026
2.6 MINS
Thomas Aquinas questioned Muhammad’s credentials to speak for God. His question remains uncomfortably relevant.
28 August 2026
5 MINS
Politics feels exhausting and toxic, but William Wilberforce's story shows why Christians shouldn't retreat from public life. His crisis of faith and calling offers a model for today.
27 August 2026
4.8 MINS
Bishop Fulton Sheen argued Communism and capitalism share a common root—materialism divorced from morality. That affinity, this piece argues, explains China's persecution of Christians today.





