Out of My Depth

As a born-and-bred Wiganer from a working-class family, my journey from childhood to now (aged 51) has taken me through a wide range of jobs. From working in a clothes shop at 13, to supporting adults with disabilities, working in a care home, dancing in a bar in Tenerife (don’t ask!), working in a gym, qualifying as a criminal defence solicitor, becoming CEO of a charity supporting marginalised young people—and now serving as Director of Snake Pit Wigan and Club Coordinator at Aspull Olympic Wrestling Club.

It’s been a rollercoaster—and not just in work.

Alongside that has been a rollercoaster of faith. There have been moments where I’ve felt so close to God it was almost tangible, and others where He felt a million miles away. But the truth is—He wasn’t. He never moved. I did.

Looking back, there were some really tough seasons—times shaped by grief, loss, burnout, and the weight of life. Hindsight is a powerful thing. It doesn’t remove the pain, but it gives perspective. It brings wisdom and becomes a testimony we can share.

And for me, this is the good part of the story.

I’ve come to know that God is good. He is not the author of harm, and He really does work all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Through Him, we are more than enough. Even when we feel out of our depth, we can step into the unknown with courage, trusting that He has it—even when we don’t.

God has designed each of us uniquely. Yet often the world can make us feel like we don’t fit—like a round peg in a square hole. But what I’ve discovered is this: those very qualities that make us feel different are often exactly what the world needs.

I’ve seen it in every space I’ve stepped into.

Sitting with a client in a police station—choosing to hear their story and treat them with dignity, without judgement.

Working in a care home—seeing loneliness and taking time to sit, eat, and listen as people reflect on their lives.

Walking alongside excluded young people—holding the complexity of their stories and helping them believe that a better story is possible.

Coaching wrestling—meeting athletes who may seem tough on the outside, but who, like all of us, need reassurance, compassion, friendship, and a safe space to be real.

Time and time again, I’ve found myself in places where I don’t quite fit—where I feel completely out of my depth.

And I’ve come to see that this is actually the gift.

Because it’s in those moments we realise it’s not about us having all the answers. It’s about God at work in and through us. It’s where His grace becomes real—sufficient in our weakness. It’s where He gets the glory, and we get to be part of something bigger than ourselves.

So my encouragement is this: reflect on the truth that you have been uniquely designed, with a purpose that only you can fulfil. This is an adventure—you get to discover what that is. You get to co-labour with God and leave a beautiful imprint on the world around you.

And in doing so, you don’t just find your own better story—you help create it for others too. 

Andrea Wood - Snakepit Wigan