When It Feels Like God Isn't Working 

Ben Rawding shares a powerful story from recent mission week - The Scattering, with an unexpected reminder that even when we don’t see immediate results, God is always at work.

I’ve just finished one of the most messy, beautiful and emotional weeks of the year – at an annual young person’s mission week called The Scattering. For seven days, we camp out in a local church, train and equip young people and then take to the streets to share the gospel in the local community.

And every year, God shows up. We’ve seen people healed, lives transformed and some giving their lives to Jesus right there on the street. But this year, it felt a bit different. It felt like hard ground. If I’m honest, I had real moments where I felt a bit disappointed.



On the one hand, we had one of the best training weekends we’ve ever had. The young people were so committed in the services and just went for it. And yet, in terms of seeing actual “fruit” - people making big decisions on the streets and seeing lives genuinely impacted - it felt like one of the toughest years.

But then - I was just on the phone with my boss yesterday, talking about how the week had gone, and I hear about a story that happened right at the end of the week – just as everything was wrapping up.

One of our youth work volunteers – Bri, who had been in a particularly tough area, was feeling so wiped out at the end of the week. Bri, like me, was also feeling a little deflated at the lack of "fruit". On her way home, she decided to treat herself to an Uber (she never gets an Uber),  because she was feeling so tired!

In the Uber, she starts talking to the driver and mentions to him what she’s been doing that week in London. And the driver says ‘Wait… were you with the group in Ilford? The ones going up and down the high street all week?”

And Bri says, “Yeah, that was us, how come you know about us?” He says, “No way. My wife went through your applause tunnel.” (Basically, where the youth create two lines, cheering and encouraging people as they walk through.)



The driver continues, “She came home smiling. I haven’t seen her smile in ages. She’s been battling severe depression, and that was the first time I saw her genuinely happy. She told me some young people blessed her, encouraged her and even gave her a book.”

Turns out the book was one of the Hope Together Mark’s Gospels we were handing out on the streets during the week.

He tells Bri, “She hasn’t stopped reading it. What’s it about?” So now in this Uber car journey, youth worker Bri, who was tired and fed up, starts sharing the Gospel of Mark and the story of Jesus with this man. By the end of the journey, he gives his life to Jesus.

I just love that so much.

A woman walks through a tunnel of clapping teenagers, telling her how God loves her. She goes home smiling. She reads a Gospel. Her husband notices the change. He asks questions. God moves. And now, two lives are transformed – and maybe even a whole family to come.

If Bri hadn’t got into that taxi, we may never have known what their joy, love and dedication accomplished during that week, on this side of eternity.



But now we know!

That moment just felt like a kiss from the Lord - a reminder that nothing is wasted. Not your energy. Not your obedience. Not even your tired, clapping hands after a long week.

So if you’re in ministry, youth work, or simply trying to love people well and it feels like nothing is happening – just remember. God is already moving.

You might not see the fruit right away. But He’s faithful. And sometimes, He’ll let you glimpse the harvest just when you need it most.

Come on, Lord. Do it again!

Ben Rawding is the Youth & Discipleship Lead at Christ Church Spitalfields. He was recently part of the leadership team at The Scattering, a week of mission, organised by The Message Trust for young people who want to put their faith into action. It runs in the summer holidays in London, the North East of England and across Wales.

To learn more about the Great Gospel Giveaway and discover how you or your church can help share Bibles in your local community, click here.

Edited by: Bethan Walker