Bloom Where you are Planted Oct. 2014

Bloom where you are planted? Or Not?

We have all heard this expression, “You should bloom where you are planted.” Recently, after 18 months of trying to grow a hibiscus plant, I finally had one take root and bloom.  I know now why it took so long.  This last attempt was in a different area in our acreage and has different soil.

It made me think back to the many times that I planted myself in places where I thought God wanted to me to serve. Areas of church service that I had the needed skills, passion and willingness to serve.  It would seem that given this criteria, it would bring about a joy filled time of furthering the Kingdom.  Sometimes, it did but other times, it was a time of great trial, frustration and the only thing furthered was discontent amongst those with whom I worked.

The Bible is full of words about ‘good soil’ vs. ‘bad soil’; pruning; planting and harvesting.  If you are serving in an area of Christian work and are seeing no fruit from your service, it may be time to ask the question:  Did God ask me to do this work? Or Did I just choose to do it because I have the skills?

God does not call the equipped.  He equips the called. So when an opportunity for service is brought to your attention, do not say ‘yes’ without praying first.  It could very well be that God has someone else He wants to bless through serving in this area. Even someone whom you do not feel is qualified.  And it could be He wants you to serve in an area in which you do not see yourself serving, an area in which you will be stretched until you become dependent upon Him equipping you.  I have found this is the type of service that bears the best fruit.  Fruit born out of my total dependence on Jesus to see me through.  Fruit and blooms for which He gets all the glory!

"I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." John 15:5

 Roxanne