Bloom Where You Are Planted

I recently visited the website of one of my sisters in Christ and while swooning over all of her furniture artistry, I came across her About The Artist tab and was stopped in my tracks by these five little words: "Bloom where you are planted." For days, I could not get it out of my head. It played and played like a broken record. I knew God was trying to speak to me. 

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." John 10:27

I decided to sit in the quiet and meditate on those five words and allowed God to reveal His message to me. 

"Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known." Jeremiah 33:3

Let's be honest, day to day life can be difficult to navigate. There is darkness, drought, doubt, and division all around us and sometimes even within our own circle of friends and family members. Our circumstances can certainly make the idea of "blooming" seem impossible. 

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you." Psalm 32:8

But as sons and daughters of the Heavenly Father, we are not planted in worldly soil. We are not nourished by what the world provides. Our light source does not dim when the world is dark. 

"Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, 'I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.'" John 8:12

Our roots are firmly planted in the soil of salvation and Biblical truth. I am nourished by His promises, His grace, and His mercy. The Holy Spirit provides me with a constant source of light and love. God is my source and my provider and I am planted in the enriched soil of His undying love and devotion for His children. 

"Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path." Psalm 119:105

I have struggles, fears, doubts, and challenges just as any believer or non-believer does, however, I'm learning to lean into Him - to lean towards the light. 

"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light." Ephesians 5:8

In my walk, this faith journey I am on, I've come to recognize it is during the darkest times we experience the most growth and His light shines the brightest. With our roots planted firmly in Him, we will continue to flourish during seasons of darkness, drought, doubt, and division because He is our source and our provider. 

"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house." Matthew 5:14-16

Brothers and sisters, shift your focus from your circumstances to your Heavenly Father. Lean towards the light. 

With Love, 

Stacey