The silent years, the years of hidden preparation, quiet labor, and unseen faithfulness, are not wasted years. They are the seasons during which the servant of God is built. Embrace them. These periods shape us, deepening our bond with God so that no matter how far we go or how high we rise, we never forget who we belong to and whom we serve.
Between seasons of expression lie what I like to think of as the silent years, the years when little is known about us. These are seasons of molding, preparation, and refinement. Every great person we admire today has had their silent years, years of obscurity, labor, intense study and meditation on God’s Word, and fervent prayer.
The Purpose of Preparation
I like to compare this process to the period of incubation before birth. Just like a baby in the womb, we are nourished, groomed, and equipped with everything we need to survive outside the protective environment of our mother’s womb. Imagine if an egg, the moment it is fertilized, were immediately birthed as a baby. What are its chances of survival? None.
The months a child spends in the womb are not wasted; they are crucial. Without that season of development, survival in the real world, where there is no placenta for sustenance, would be impossible. This is why premature babies often require medical incubation with artificial support, and even then, survival depends on multiple factors such as how early they are born, the expertise of medical professionals, and the quality of medical equipment available. In Nigeria, for instance, babies born before six months have very slim chances of survival due to limited access to advanced medical facilities.
In the same way, our silent years are not wasted years. They are essential for our survival and effectiveness in the seasons of expression that will follow. These are the years when God teaches us the principles that will sustain us in the places He is leading us to. He teaches us many lessons, including how to abound and how to be abased, how to stand firm, how to be patient and kind, how to understand and accommodate people with all their frailties, and how to be faithful in small things.
There are things a man must be prepared to handle, situations he must be trained to navigate, otherwise, he will bring dishonor to our Master, Jesus Christ. The anointing may elevate a man, but only character and the fruit of the Spirit can sustain him. Without these, even the most gifted individual will self destruct. Just like a premature baby struggling to take its first breath outside the womb before its lungs are fully developed, a person who rushes ahead of God’s timing may face spiritual, emotional, or even physical setbacks he is unprepared to handle. The weight of responsibility that should have been a blessing can become too heavy to bear. Without the right foundation of integrity, wisdom, and endurance, he may fail at a most critical moment.
The Process of Refinement
For instance, if a man is not taught contentment with gratitude and the proper management of God’s resources, then when he is placed in a position of financial authority, he will compromise. He will steal. There is no limit to what a carnally minded believer, consumed by an unchecked love for money, might do. Scripture says, “The love of money is the root of all evil.” (1 Timothy 6:10). 1 Timothy 6:6 also says: “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”
Paul, sharing some of the valuable lessons he had learned in his journey with God, said: “Not that I speak in respect of want, for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” Philippians 4:11-12.
Likewise, if a man is not trained to tame his passions, walk in purity, discipline his body, and keep his eyes only for his wife, or vice versa, then if he ascends to a position of authority with such weaknesses, the damage will be immeasurable. There is no telling how many people in his church or organization he might lead into immorality.
In the same way, if a woman is not taught to control her emotions and temper, it is only a matter of time before her outbursts drive people away or, worse still, tear down what took years to build.
Like Diamonds
I remember coming across an article about how diamonds are formed, and I was left in awe. The process is so intense that if a diamond could speak, it would likely resist going through it. If we were told in advance what our journey of growth and refinement would entail, I am not sure many would eagerly embrace it. Only a few, those who have enough foresight to weigh present sufferings against the glory that lies ahead, would willingly endure the process.
Diamonds are formed deep within the Earth’s mantle under extreme heat and pressure, with an emphasis on extreme conditions. Does that sound familiar? Think about the pressures, the tests, and the temptations you were certain would break you. Yet, here you are. God knew you would endure. The One who permitted or restrained the intensity of your trials knew you could withstand them. They were not allowed to come and break you; they were allowed to shape you, to mold you into someone better suited for His purpose.
The Scripture assures us that God will not allow us to be tested beyond what we can bear. This truth serves as an anchor when we face situations that seem overwhelming: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)
In many ways, we are like diamonds in our raw state; rough around the edges, untrained, unprepared, and unlearned in the ways of God. In such a raw state, how can we truly fulfill our purpose?
Like diamonds in the rough, we must undergo refining before we can truly shine. The silent years are not a punishment; they are a process, God’s way of shaping us for the weight of His calling. If we yield to His work in us, embracing the pruning, the molding, and the hidden seasons, we will emerge stronger, wiser, and ready to walk in the fullness of His purpose.
I believe that to a large extent, we can determine whether we align with God’s timeline for our training or prolong it, depending on how quickly we yield to His refining work.
Perhaps this is your season of preparation. You are not wasting away. Do not despise the process. The pressure is not meant to break you; it is meant to make you. And when the time is right, you will shine, not just as a vessel of beauty, but as one fully equipped and fit for God’s use.
