As I sit here today, reflecting on the approaching new year, I can’t help but feel a mix of anticipation and uncertainty. It’s December 27th, and 2025 is right around the corner. A lot is on my mind—mostly, where will God lead us in the next 1-2 years? Where is He taking our family?
For years, I’ve carried a vision I believe God placed in my heart. But if I’ve learned anything, it’s that pursuing a God-given vision is rarely a straight path. It demands relentless effort, even when nothing seems to be moving forward.
1. The Power of Sudden Change
Do you realize how quickly things can shift? I’ve watched people go from struggling to thriving in what felt like the blink of an eye. It’s incredible. But make no mistake—their success wasn’t built in months. It was forged over years of unseen hard work, often in silence.
Take Nashville, for example. They call it a 10-year city for a reason. Most artists you hear about have spent a decade grinding, performing anywhere they could. The “sudden” breakthrough is rarely sudden. When you see them basking in the spotlight, you’re witnessing the fruit of years of hidden labor.
Lesson: Success is often invisible until it isn’t. Trust the process, not the timeline.
Scripture: “Do not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9
The truth is, God is always working behind the scenes. Sometimes, the changes He brings seem to come out of nowhere, but they’re the result of seasons of preparation. Think about David. One day he was a shepherd, and the next he was anointed to be king—but there were still years of trials, battles, and waiting before he stepped fully into that role. Don’t despise the quiet seasons; they are where God prepares you for the sudden shifts.
Sudden breakthroughs are the result of God aligning the right people, opportunities, and timing. Your responsibility is to stay faithful, knowing He is aligning all the pieces even when you can’t see them. Trust that your “due season” is coming.
2. The Grind Before the Glory
Everyone wants to celebrate with you in the moments of victory, but few stand beside you during the grind. This is the essence of perseverance. The unseen foundation determines the strength of what’s built on top.
Reflection: Are you willing to endure the hidden years, the seasons when no one applauds your efforts? Those quiet moments are often when God shapes us the most.
Jesus Himself modeled this. His public ministry lasted about three years, but what about the decades He spent in Nazareth? Those silent years were vital to His preparation. The same applies to us. God uses the grind to refine our character, test our faith, and deepen our dependence on Him. Without the grind, the glory would crumble under the weight of our unprepared hearts.
Scripture: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.” – 1 Peter 5:6
Your hidden seasons are where humility and perseverance are forged. God is developing the foundation required to sustain the dreams He placed within you. Embrace the grind, knowing that each step is part of His divine preparation.
3. The Bamboo Tree Principle
This reminds me of the story of the Chinese Bamboo Tree. The process is simple yet profound.
- You plant the seed and water it daily.
- Year 1 passes. Nothing.
- Year 2. Still nothing.
- Year 3. More watering, more fertilizer. No growth above ground.
- Year 4. Silence.
- Year 5. In a span of five weeks, the tree suddenly grows 90 feet.
Let that sink in. For four years, nothing appears to happen. But underground, the tree’s roots are spreading deep to sustain its rapid growth. Had the farmer given up in year four, the tree would never have emerged.
Lesson: Your “watering”—your prayers, work, and faithfulness—are not in vain. God is deepening your roots for the weight of the calling ahead.
Scripture: “So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” – James 1:4
This story perfectly illustrates spiritual growth. Often, the greatest transformations happen below the surface, where no one can see. God may not reveal immediate results, but every prayer, every act of faithfulness, is contributing to your eventual breakthrough. When the season of growth comes, you’ll find that the foundation God built in the unseen places will sustain the heights He takes you to.
Stay consistent in prayer and diligent in your efforts. God is growing your roots even if you can’t see the fruit yet. Trust that He is preparing you for exponential growth.
4. The Voice of the Naysayers
As you grow, so does the noise around you. There’s a predictable pattern to how people respond to your journey:
- “It won’t work.”
- “It won’t last.”
- “You were just lucky.”
- “I always knew you’d make it.”
Expect it. But don’t let their doubts shape your vision. When you’re rooted in God’s promises, the voices of the naysayers lose their grip.
Reflection: Are you focusing more on God’s voice or the opinions of those who haven’t seen your journey?
Scripture: “Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.” – Jeremiah 17:7
Joseph’s brothers mocked his dreams, yet years later they bowed before him as Egypt’s second-in-command. Naysayers may laugh at your vision now, but God has the final say. Their disbelief doesn’t dictate your destiny—God does. Focus on His affirmation, not their rejection.
5. Stay the Course
I hope this encourages you. Sometimes, you’re closer than you think. What if the farmer stopped watering just three weeks before the bamboo sprouted? Don’t give up just because you can’t see progress yet.
Key Takeaways:
- Trust the unseen process. God’s timing rarely aligns with our expectations.
- Keep showing up. Faithfulness in the mundane leads to breakthroughs.
- Silence the naysayers. Let your fruit speak for itself in due time.
God is preparing you. The roots you’re growing today will sustain the 90-foot growth that’s coming. Stay the course. Your breakthrough could be just around the corner.
Closing Prayer:
Lord, give us the strength to keep watering the dreams You’ve planted in our hearts. Remind us that even when we can’t see growth, You are at work underground. Let us trust Your timing and stay faithful to the vision You’ve given us. Amen.