The Night

My daughters and I always look forward to this time of year, as it marks the beginning of our gardening journey. They love to babysit their veggie seedlings and watch them grow. When we first started planting our seedlings, we naturally thought that they needed the warmest, sunniest spot in our home.

To our surprise, we learned that most seeds actually require darkness to germinate. Excessive sunlight can hinder the sprouting process for many varieties. Most people are unaware that the night hours are not useless but almost as important as the day hours. Some experts even claim that plants grow the most during the nighttime.

Interestingly, a similar pattern also applies to our spiritual growth. The challenging trials we often reluctantly face are vital for our spiritual development. AW Tozer once pointed out that "God does his deepest work in our darkest hours."

We often tend to get too comfortable with an easy life. However, many people experience a spiritual awakening during their moments of deepest pain and tribulation. These difficult times make us more aware of God's presence, and we learn to obey Him.

Paul writes this of Jesus...

…though being a Son, He learned obedience from the things He suffered.  (He. 5:8 BLB)

I recall a time when I was undergoing a challenging season and came across a piece of writing also by AW Tozer titled The Ministry of the Night. It gave me comfort and reassurance that such seasons are not wasted nor intended to harm me, but along with seasons of triumph, they help me grow and transform into the person I need to be.

Supporting Text

Sorrow is better than laughter, For by a sad countenance the heart is made better…(Ec. 7:3)