Today I would love to share with you a little of the journey I have been on over the last couple of months- so get comfy, and I pray that this challenges you, encourages you, or maybe just makes you think 🙂 

At the beginning of this season, I felt the Lord ask me this question: “Are you prepared to live in obscurity?” and at the time, I thought it was a slightly ridiculous question, having been forced by a global pandemic to isolate in my house- was this not the epitome of obscurity? However, as these last few months have unraveled, I have felt this question imprinted deeper and deeper on my heart. As opportunities come and go, I have come to understand a little of the reality and how it pertains to us as creatives more than I initially thought. I have found myself looking at people in both the New and Old Testament, people with big dreams, big gifts, big callings, who were all (maybe inconveniently so) placed in the so-called “darkroom”, not only as a preparation for what was to come but in order to grow deeper in intimacy, in trust, in obedience with our Father. 

You see, if we take a plant for a moment, seeds being deeply planted are hidden. Just like seeds, we could also be in a season of being hidden. We are not outwardly fruitful, yet we are growing roots. We are connected to the source- nutrients, water, perfect conditions for foundations to be set for growth. Once the initial roots are able to grow, whatever comes to the surface, whether it be a beautiful flower or a stately tree- is merely an overflow of that connection to the source (Being God through the Holy Spirit). Because of the time spent underneath the soil, that overflow (of His presence) will be long-lasting, sustainable, fruitful, and ultimately will cause new seeds to be sown- new opportunities for others to find a relationship with Him.

Before Paul fulfilled his calling as an apostle, it says in Galatians 1:16, “my immediate response was not to consult any human being”. Paul decided to be molded and shaped into the apostle that God wanted him to be. He then went on to see the church grow and flourish and reach “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Similarly, before Joseph was able to step into any of the promises given to him in his wild and wacky dreams, God allowed Him to spend years in obscurity, as a servant to the king, in prison, rejected by his brothers. He then went on to save both Israel and Egypt from starvation due to famine.

Lastly, David was not even present at the time that Samuel came to anoint one of Jesse’s sons as King. He was out in obscurity in the field. Then, after having received the promise of his kingship, he was forced by Saul to flee and spend years in obscurity, a future king, found in the wilderness. He became king, a worshipper of worshippers, the writer of a large portion of Psalms, which gives us an expression for our worship today. But not only that, from David, a generation was born, and a generation after that, until finally in the real epitome of obscurity, an outhouse of an inn in Bethlehem, a baby was born. And from that obscurity, came our Saviour Jesus. You see, in all of these cases, although many dreams had been realised, the hidden place was required to build that intimacy with the Father prior to being placed in the view of others. And ultimately, the glory always went to God. Not to man.

What I am not saying, is that there is a necessity for complete isolation. God created us for community. But our heart posture and the moments that the rest of humanity does not see (where we are found by our Heavenly Father in the hidden place) are inherently important for our growth. While many of us as creatives may not be found among the most viewed artists, writers, musicians, business owners, while our hearts are found in obscurity with the Father, our rewards are found in eternity, and He will bless the work of our hands. Just as He brought the dreams and callings of the aforementioned men into existence. People’s eternities ride on your obedience and your growth in Him. We have a responsibility to steward those seasons of development. 

So, friends, that is all from me, but let me encourage you: This week, this month, the rest of this year, ask yourself the questions:

Am I prepared to live in obscurity? Where has God planted me in this season, so that I can produce fruit in the next? What source am I connected to? Where is the glory going? Am I seeking personal, unique, first-hand intimacy with the Creator of the Universe?

Through these simple, yet sometimes painful questions, I truly believe our creativity, our sharing of our gifts, and the dreams which our Father deposits within us will bring forth fruit. Being content in obscurity, fully knowing that our reward will come. And it will far exceed that which we could ever receive in the natural. 

Let me leave you with this verse:

“There’s a private place reserved for the lovers of God, where they sit near him and receive the revelation-secrets of his promises” –Psalm 25:14 (TPT)

My greatest prayer is that we (as lovers of God) would do just that.

I love you all. 

Matilda