New Shoots! Seeing Life Where You Thought Everything Had Died
Night Is Normal Part 6: Seeing Life Where You Thought Everything Had Died
Have you ever looked at a situation and thought:
"It's over." The dream is gone. The relationship is broken. The opportunity has passed. The hope is dead.
In this week's episode, Diana explores one of the most encouraging truths in Scripture: God often sees life where we see only loss.
Through the story of Joseph, Dr. Alicia Britt Chole's illustration of a willow tree, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we'll discover how God works beneath the surface long before we recognize it.
If you've been standing beside a burial ground in your own life—wondering if God has forgotten you—this message will remind you that the Gardener is still at work.
Diana’s Notes
Heartfelt Conversations with Diana - The Night is Normal Study
Hello everybody!!! And welcome to our latest podcast in the Night is Normal series here on Heartfelt Conversations with Diana
Last week we asked a question - Do You Know God? And we talked about knowing God and trusting His heart when we can't trace His hand.
We discovered that God is not asking us to understand everything. He is inviting us to know Him.
Today, I want to continue that conversation by asking another question.
What happens when life appears dead, but God sees something we cannot?
What happens when the dream dies? When the relationship ends? When the opportunity disappears? When the diagnosis comes? When the prayer remains unanswered?
What happens when we stand before barren branches and conclude that nothing will ever grow there again?
Today in our newest episode, New Shoots! Seeing Life Where You Thought Everything Had Died- we're going to talk about new shoots, hidden growth, resurrected life, and the faithfulness of God.
Because sometimes what appears dead to us is simply unfinished to God.
THE WILLOW TREE
Dr. Alicia shares a story about a willow tree she loved.
Over time the tree appeared to die. The branches were bare. The life of the tree seemed gone. Dead. The evidence suggested the story for this Willow Tree was over.
Then her husband noticed something she had missed. Tiny shoots.
Small signs of life. Evidence that growth was still happening.
Evidence that what appeared dead wasn't actually dead at all.
And as I read that story, I couldn't help but wonder how many times we do the same thing.
How many times have we stood in front of something in our own lives and declared it dead?
A marriage. A dream. A friendship. A ministry. A prayer. A calling. Our hope. Our faith. Ourselves.
Yet God sees something we don't. New shoots. Life beneath the surface.
Growth hidden underground.
JOSEPH'S PRISON
Let’s spend a few minutes with the story of Joseph.
Not Joseph the ruler. Not Joseph wearing fine clothes in Pharaoh's palace.
I want us to sit beside Joseph in the prison.
Let's imagine for a moment. Just imagine you are Joseph for a minute.
The clang of the prison door closing for another night. The noise fades.
The silence settles in. You are sitting there alone with your thoughts - Joseph sits alone with his thoughts.
Maybe he remembers the dreams God gave him in his youth.
Maybe he remembers his father's love.
Maybe he remembers the coat his father gave him. Do you ever sit and think about all the good things in your life, the good memories that you once had? But now. Now all those memories seem so far off. Maybe they feel like a lifetime ago. And now you feel stuck in a pit.
Maybe Joseph’s thoughts turn and he remembers the pit.
The betrayal of his own brothers. The lies. The accusations.
Then the chains come. Slavery comes. The pit becomes his prison.
And maybe he begins asking questions. "God, did I hear You wrong?"
"Did I misunderstand the dream?" "Have You forgotten me?"
"Was any of it real?"
Have you ever asked questions like that? If you have, then you're in good company.
Because faithful people ask hard questions. Faithful people experience disappointment. Faithful people battle discouragement.
Faithful people have moments when they cannot see what God is doing.
The problem wasn't that Joseph had emotions. Our problem may not be having the feelings -
The problem begins when we allow those emotions to become our final authority. When our emotions take the lead of our life.
I can’t imagine that Joseph went through all he did without ever experiencing doubt, fear, questions -
Because emotions are real. I am sure Joseph, being a real human being, had emotions. But emotions are not always truthful.
Pain is real. But pain is not always telling us the truth.
I believe Joseph knew from the outward appearance that his circumstances were telling one story.
But his innerman, his spirit, had faith, had trust, that God was writing another story. An unfinished story.
THE GOD WHO WATCHED OVER JOSEPH
While Joseph sat in the prison, it would have been easy to conclude that God had forgotten him. After all, what evidence suggested otherwise?
The dream looked dead. His future looked dead. His freedom looked dead.
His hope may have felt dead.
But while Joseph sat in the prison, the God who hung the stars was still at work.
The God who watched over Joseph in the pit was watching over him in the prison.
The God who watched over Joseph in the prison was preparing a palace.
Joseph couldn't see it. But God could.
Joseph couldn't trace God's hand. But God had never moved it.
Years later Joseph had the opportunity to face his brothers. Listen to what he wisely says to them in -
Genesis 50:20: (NLT ) "You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good..."
Notice something important.
Joseph did not see the new shoots while sitting in the prison. I believe through it all, through all the chaos,and betrayal, and mess all around him - Joseph’s spirit, his innerman held on to his faith. His trust in God, and believing whatever God says will come to pass. Joseph was also given time to heal over what his brothers had done. I am not sure about you but siblings are not, if someone sold me into slavery and destroyed my life as I knew it - I would not be very happy with you. I might forgive them because I know that is what we are asked to do - forgive and you will be forgiven- but working out my feelings to fall in step with my spirit, might take some time.
Joseph could have been a real jerk to his brothers, he was distributing all the provisions in the land at that time. Their lives were in his hands.
Many times growth is happening long before we recognize it. I am sure while Joseph was in prison, he was developing and growing and learning to control his emotions.
God was using what seemed like a waste of Joseph’s life as a season of preparation. He was growing Joseph from the inside out.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 (CEV) Contemporary English version
Everything on earth has its own time and its own season.
LIFE IS FRAGILE
Ecclesiastes reminds us of that. Life is fragile.
Dreams break. People leave. Plans change. Loss touches every life.
The Bible never pretends otherwise. Yet Scripture also reveals something else.
God is always working. Always redeeming. Always restoring. Always bringing life where we least expect it.
Just like in the life of Joseph.
Not because life is easy. But because God is faithful.
WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE?
Eventually every night season leads us to a question.
What do I believe?
Do I believe disappointment gets the final word? Or God?
Do I believe loss gets the final word? Or God?
Do I believe death gets the final word? Or God?
Because our answer determines how we walk through the darkness.
DON'T LEAVE JESUS IN THE GRAVE
Joseph experienced the “new shoots” of God’s work but The greatest “New Shoots" story in all of history is the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The disciples stood before a tomb and believed just for a moment, that the story was over.
Dead. Finished. Gone. But God saw resurrection.
Don't leave Jesus in the grave. Yes, He died for you. Yes, He gave His life for you. But He also rose again. He rose so that dead things could live.
He rose so that hope could live. He rose so that hearts could be restored.
He rose so that new life could begin. Not only in Heaven someday.
But here and now. Because resurrection is not merely an event.
It is the life of Christ working within us. When we receive Jesus, we are “In Christ.”
GOD STILL BRINGS NEW LIFE
Ezekiel 36:26 says: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you."
Notice God doesn't promise to simply patch up the old.
He creates something new. A new heart. A new spirit. A new life.
This is what God does. He specializes in resurrection. He brings beauty from ashes. Hope from despair. Purpose from pain.
Life from places we thought were beyond repair.
THREE BUILDING BLOCKS
Let’s walk through our three building blocks
Building Block #1
Life Is Fragile, But God Is Faithful
Lamentations 3:22 - 23 (NLT):The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.
Circumstances change. God remains.
Building Block #2
God Specializes In Resurrection
Galatians 2:20: (NLT)My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me
Nothing is impossible for Him. He brings life where we see only loss.
Building Block #3
New Life Often Begins Beneath The Surface
Philippians 1:6: (AMP) I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus [the time of His return].
Just because you cannot see growth does not mean growth isn't happening.
It is a slow process, so don’t be in a hurry. God is more interested in your relationship growing together, then He is in you focused on rules and do’s and don'ts. It is the journey together He enjoys. It is very good for the soul!
ENCOURAGEMENT
What burial ground have you been standing beside?
What have you already declared dead? Your joy? Your purpose? Your future? Your faith?
Can I lovingly encourage you today?
Don't quit five minutes before the new shoots appear.
The God who hung the stars has not forgotten you.
The God who watched over Joseph in the pit watched over him in the prison.
The God who watched over Joseph in the prison watched over him in the palace.
And the God who watched over Joseph is watching over you.
The branches may look barren.
The season may feel long. The answers may not have arrived yet.
But the Gardener is still at work.
Listen to Jesus in John 15: 1 (NIV ) “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.
CLOSING PRAYER
Father,
Thank You for being faithful even when we cannot see what You are doing.
Thank You for watching over us in every season of life.
When circumstances convince us that all hope is gone, help us remember that You are still working.
Give us eyes to see the new shoots You are growing beneath the surface.
Help us trust You when we cannot trace Your hand.
Strengthen our faith.
Renew our hope.
And remind us that what appears dead to us is often unfinished to You.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.
WEEK 4 TEASER
Next week we're going to begin exploring what happens when God starts stripping away the labels, titles, and identities we've built our lives around.
Who are we when the things we've depended on are no longer there?
And how do we discover our identity in Christ when everything else feels uncertain?
I hope you'll join me.
Until next time, remember:
The Gardener is still at work.
And new shoots may be growing in places you thought were beyond repair.
Remember, if you do not already have a local church home - and you are not in the area, please join us online for Sunday service at Valley Family Church! If you are nearby, please join us for the 9AM or the 11:15 services and let them know Diana invited you:)
You can find the link for Valley’s Sunday service, the notes from today’s podcast, and a masterful teaching by our Founding Pastor Jeff Jones on how to live - A Good Life!
You can find all of it on our website -heartfeltconversations.com
like us & follow us on our Heartfelt Conversations with Diana Facebook page! Help us to get the Gospel of the Good News out there! Let’s make heaven crowded! lol
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:13 (NLT)
God bless & I’ll See ya next time on Heartfelt Conversations with Diana!
Pastor Jeff’s message:
A Good Life | Pastor Jeff Jones
Valley Family Church YouTube Channel for Sunday Service:
https://www.youtube.com/@ValleyFamilyChurch/streams
Heartfelt Conversations with Diana Facebook link:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583338513059
Diana’s Playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkeS6qzdekMr55A_b1cG_Yv2fy_BvQ27D
Thirst Quenchers
Songs to Inspire You
I Know A Name | Elevation Worship & Brandon Lake
Do It Again - Chris Brown & Brandon Lake | Heaven Come
MercyMe - Flawless (Official Music Video)
Foundational Encouraging Verses:
Isaiah 42:16: God’s Word Translation
I will lead the blind on unfamiliar roads. I will lead them on unfamiliar paths. I will turn darkness into light in front of them. I will make rough places smooth. These are the things I will do for them, and I will never abandon them.
Isaiah 54:10: Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken, nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.”
Psalm 119:105: Your word is a light unto our path and a light unto our feet.
Isaiah 54:17: But in that coming day, no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the LORD; their vindication will come from me. I, the LORD, have spoken!
Isaiah 52:12: (EASY) But you will not have to hurry and run away. No, the Lord, Israel's God, will keep you safe. He will lead you at the front, and He will be your guard at the back.
Isaiah 46:10: “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’”
Matthew 7:11: So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
1 Peter 2:23 tells us - When He was insulted, He did not answer back with an insult; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but placed His hopes in God, the righteous Judge.
Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
1 Peter 2:12 says, “Live such good lives among the pagans that… they may see your good deeds and glorify God.”
The New Living Translation reads it this way: Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.
Deuteronomy 30:19-20: "I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Now choose life."
Luke 6:37“Forgive, and you will be forgiven”.
Matthew 6:14: If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you.
Romans 8:31 in the AMP Bible tells us: What then shall we say to all these things? If God is for us, who can be [successful] against us?
Psalm 65:11: You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.
Psalm 32:8: The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.
Proverbs 15:3: The Lord sees everything, whether good or bad.
1 Peter 5:7: Cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.
Additional Resources:
Steven Furtick: Triggered Taking Back Your Mind in the Age of Anxiety
Beth Jones: Getting a Grip on the Basics is a great resource to help you get the basics of how vital you are to God and how good He desires to be to you
https://www.thebasicsuniversity.com
Joyce Meyer: The Mind is a Battlefield - https://joycemeyer.org
Prayer of Salvation
Jesus has given salvation, healing, and countless benefits to all who call upon His name. These benefits can be yours if you receive Him into your heart by saying this prayer:
Heavenly Father, I come to You admitting that I am a sinner. Right now, I choose to turn away from sin, and I ask You to cleanse me of all unrighteousness. I believe that Jesus rose again from the dead so that I may be justified and made righteous through faith in Him. I call upon the name of Jesus Christ to be the Savior and Lord of my life. Jesus, I choose to follow You, and I ask that You fill me with the power of the Holy Spirit. I declare right now that I am a born-again child of God. I am free from sin and full of the righteousness of God. I am saved in Jesus’ name. Amen.
This prayer and the comment above were taken out of the book:
Secrets to Powerful Prayer - Discovering the Languages of the Heart
By Lynne Hammond and Patsy Cameneti
If you have just received Jesus as your Savior, please write Lynne Hammond Ministries at:
PO Box 29469
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55429-2946
Or, email one of the ministries listed on the Additional Resources Tab and let them know that you are a brand-new Christian and need some direction on the next steps for your new life in Christ.
Or email us here at Heartfelt Conversations with Diana, and we will forward your information to you.
Congratulations if you are a brand new Christian or if you have Returned Home! Welcome!!! Get in God’s Word and get it into you.