Bloom Where Your Planted!
“Many of us refuse to grow where we are put; consequently, we take root nowhere.” Oswald Chambers
We often “water our woes” instead of “fertilize our faith” when we can’t see the big picture, or we can’t see instant results during a time of change and transition. We choose not to put down roots in a new place, because we fear change will come again, all too soon. When our world turns upside down, it’s not always clear what God is doing, or why He is doing it, so we distance ourselves from a relationship with Him and with others. We don’t realize that God often works on a deeper level in our life that we can’t see or understand.
Many times God will transplant us through a move, or a change in our lives, for us to grow deep roots in our relationship with Him. It is in the confusion and chaos of change that God teaches us about His faithfulness. Through being uprooted and transplanted we come to know Him and trust Him like never before. Once our roots grow deep in the soil of God’s love, we begin to grow from within, seeds of hope begin to emerge, then peace and contentment begin to break through the surface of our hearts. It is knowing God’s faithfulness, trusting in Him, having hope, peace, and contentment, that we can begin to “bloom” again!
Reflect on these scriptures to fertilize your faith:
“I ask Him to strengthen you by His Spirit…that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite Him in. And I ask Him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all Christians the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3: 16-19 The Message
“His mercies are new every morning, great is His faithfulness!” Lamentations 3:21-23
“And the Lord will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.” Isaiah 58:11
Thanks for the encouragement! As a new pastors wife living in a new country, those words are valuable. I want deep roots in His love so I can bloom for His glory.
Wow, this is so true, when we were at our previous pastorate I didn’t feel we would always be there, so it felt temporary,although we were there 8 years. Now we have been at this one 5 years and we are in very bad financial problems at church, but there is absolutely no way we are considering leaving. This is home and we will weather the storm. We have a much better perspective!
Thank you for this post! We are so leary to commit deeply to people and places that we think will be temporary, because it seems a waste, or we might get hurt… but we never regret really investing! I am in a church now that might not be permanant for us because its in transition, but feel so convicted to put my whole heart into serving and building relationships here- even if we do leave. (I haven’t always felt this way!) I think about being closer to my family, or “back home,” but the only “next step” I need to dwell on in Jesus coming back and serving Him well! 🙂
I have found what you wrote to be so true! Our family roots, and our roots in Christ as our “Everything” have grown beautifully deep as He has been All we’ve had during those times of transition. I’ve noticed that if we are filled and satisfied in Jesus, it is much easier for us to invest in wherever it is that He places us. He becomes our stability, and since He never changes, our roots remain strong no matter where we are. Thank you for your post.
🙂 Jennifer