Our life in this world began in the dark and hidden places of our mother’s womb – quiet and unseen, and yet alive with possibility. We were conceived in darkness – in obscurity and mystery. And perhaps this is where our deepest desires and callings are still conceived.
Inasmuch as we like having a clear vision and knowing our purpose, the spark of this purpose often flickers first in obscurity. A desire stirs in our souls we’re not yet sure how to name or make sense of. Or we feel burdened to speak into issues with no logical connection to our story. Or maybe this creative impulse burns in our bones and won’t let us rest. Whatever it looks like, these may all be the early signs of God forming something deep within.
Just as our physical conception takes place out of sight, so God might implant the desire of our heart in darkness as well. And just as we don’t have to fully understand how life grows inside a woman’s body to still trust the process and nurture this life, so we learn to trust and care for the mysterious stirrings of our soul even when there’s no external confirmation yet.
To be sure, science brings us great insights. But it also tempts us to believe there’s a clear and rational explanation for everything, including the deep desires of our heart. But the Spirit of God moves like the wind – conceiving life in ways beyond our understanding. We see the evidence as the desire grows, but we cannot adequately explain how it was place there to begin with. And this is okay.
We don’t have to understand the desire for it to be holy. And we don’t have to see the whole picture to begin trusting the seed of desire God has given us. Our task is simply to care for it and trust the work that God has begun.
In the end, God conceives holy things in hidden places. And the deep desires of your heart are no different. Embrace the mystery of what God is working out in you.
