Hidden Goodness

Written By Uriel

Discovering the Father’s Gifts All Around Us

A wonderful American friend once told me she knew absolutely nothing about Belgium. I smiled and said, “You’d be surprised how much you actually know.”

“Do you know the Smurfs or Tintin?” I asked.

“Of course!” she said.
“Belgian,” I replied.

Her eyes widened. “No way!”

And there’s more: Fries, Brussels sprouts (from our capital!), Belgian waffles, Belgian chocolate, Belgian beer, and Biscoff…

By then, she laughed and gasped. She had seen and tasted more of Belgium than she ever realized.

 

Isn’t that often the case in our relationship with God?

We’ve seen and tasted His goodness, yet we often fail to recognize its source. And it’s not just Christians—the whole world experiences glimpses of God’s goodness without realizing where it comes from.

When I look at myself, I still see many moments of ungratefulness in my life. Now I understand why: for a long time, I believed I couldn’t bring my deepest desires to God because I assumed they were all sinful. Deep down, I began to doubt His goodness—not fearing rejection from people, but from God Himself.

Recently, though, a friend reminded me of the words from Matthew 7:9:

“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone?”

So true! God longs to give His children—you and me—good things!

Lately, when I pray from the depths of my heart, I whisper the words Abba or Papa. Tears come, without fail, each time. It’s as if my soul is crying out from its deepest place. The word Papa carries both intimacy and trust. It’s more than affection, it’s total surrender.

Whatever God has for me, I believe, and taste, that He is good. As James 1:17 says:

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

Since our Father knows my deepest longings even better than I do, I can follow Him with trust. Obedience, I’ve discovered, isn’t bitter, it’s a taste of His goodness.

Disclaimer: This reflection comes with no sponsorship from the Belgian Tourist Office.

P.S. I’m writing this while waiting for my work visa approval, so I can start serving with Revoice.

Uriel

Uriel Denivelle is a Belgian Christ follower who grew up in a small evangelical church. He is gay, teacher, the eighth of twelve siblings and speaker of five languages. Uriel enjoys hiking, Lord of the Rings, and the balance of a good laugh or deep conversation. He is a passionate advocate for standing by your friends and fighting for them. Coming out publicly in his 40s, Uriel is the only Christian in Belgium speaking openly about navigating faith and sexuality—a challenging journey in a country where Protestants make up just 1% of the population. Seeking support, he became an intern at Revoice in 2024.

Uriel is passionate about the Church and hopes to inspire Christians to stop overlooking gay believers who are committed to Jesus, ensuring they receive the support and community they so desperately need.

“My journey regarding the intersection of faith and sexuality began with discovering my same-sex attraction within a very conservative church environment, which brought a deep sense of shame and confusion. For many years, I struggled to reconcile my faith with my identity, often feeling isolated. Embracing a celibate life is a relatively new chapter in this journey, even though I’ve always believed it’s the path God has called me to walk. It’s been a process of learning, surrender, and growth, but I trust that this journey is leading me closer to Him, even in the midst of challenges. I was inspired to share my story when a young man close to me came out and said something that has stayed with me: ‘Uriel, it’s as if we don’t exist in the Church. Being ignored feels even worse than being condemned.’ His words revealed the deep sense of invisibility many LGBTQ+ individuals feel within the Christian community. It’s not just the rejection—it’s the silence, the feeling of being unseen by a place that should offer love and support. Through my writing, I hope to encourage readers to be honest with themselves and deepen their love for Jesus. I want to give them strength to continue their walk with Him and not lose heart. In my contributions to Revoice’s ‘Our Voices’ Blog, I’m passionate about exploring spiritual growth, practical insights for navigating life, and sharing personal experiences with Christ.” — Uriel

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