BLOOM – Where He Plants You

by Liz Giertz, Contributing Writer

I recently planted what I thought were Impatiens in some pots on my front porch. I grew up with these flowers around my house and knew they would bloom in shady areas. But as I was freeing the last seedling from it’s carrier I realized I had actually purchased Vinca, which require exposure to full sun. Somewhat panicked, I called my mom who is my go-to person for all things gardening and she said, don’t worry, just feed it more.

So instead of ripping them out and starting over with something that seemed better suited to the conditions on my porch, I decided to take her advice and buy some Miracle-Gro.

There have been times when I’ve tried to make my own blooming contingent upon certain favorable stipulations, too. When I had enough time or when I had learned enough or when I liked a certain group of people. I used to think I could only bloom in just the right circumstances. When things were going well and there was no undue stress. I wanted to bloom in times of plenty and prosperity. You know, in full sun! But we don’t get to choose where we bloom best.

Sometimes, like those vinca flowers on my porch, the answer is to nourish ourselves more when our circumstances don’t seem favorable for flowering. God will adapt us to thrive in any situation He creates for us. If you feel like He is calling you to bloom in less than desirable conditions, increase your supply of nourishment through the Word and prayer – that’s our Miracle-Gro – because the enemy likes to keep us from sharing the full glory of God in tough times.

Those are the Devil’s most fertile grounds. And we have to be prepared to withstand his treachery if we are going to bloom in the shade.

I used to think of flowers as being vulnerable, but they are far from frail. God has blanketed beautiful blooms in almost every condition on earth.

While the vast majority of flowers bloom in the presence of sun light. There are some, like the Pitaya, that bloom in the dark of night. Certain species are capable of blooming at high altitudes in the frozen tundra.

 

There are even plants that only bloom after destructive wild fires have scorched the earth, after being exposed to the heat or smoke, or when specific nutrients have been deposited in the soil by the ash of burned vegetation.

They are the first hope for restoration after devastation.

 

Some people called to bloom after tragedy to bring hope to those suffering tremendous loss.

I’d guess some of you are fire-followers. God has given you specific skills and abilities best suited to service in crisis situations – a death, a deployment, divorce, or some other tragedy. You step up and step in when others step back. Providing tangible shows of God’s love and grace for His hurting people. Reminding them of the hope we have in our Savior.

But not everybody is comfortable in these delicate situations. In all honesty, this isn’t my specialty. That’s why we have to be our own beautiful blooms. See what I mean by that in the next lesson!

 

Blossoms of Fun Question

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Do you prefer to receive or send flowers as a gift? Why?

Study Questions

1)Read Ephesians 6:10-18. What tools does God equip us with to stand our ground when under attack?

2) Read Joshua 1:9. Why are we as believers able to be strong and courageous? How have you seen this play out in your own life?

3) Read 1 John 4:4. Who is greater than any trouble we face in this world?

4) Read John 16:33. We are guaranteed trouble in this world and we don’t get to choose when or where tragedy strikes. But what do we gain through our faith in Jesus? Why might this strength be appealing to those who are hurting?

5) Sometimes feeding a flower too much Miracle-Gro can be problematic. Roots, stems, and leaves can actually be burned by too much fertilizer. What practical application might exist for applying too much Bible study and prayer to situations in your life?

Join us in the comment section below and tell us your answers to the study questions.