God has been revealing to me a great truth for a few weeks. I’ve heard sermons preached and lessons taught on “Bloom Where You Are Planted”. So I began searching and researching and I looked and looked and was driving myself crazy trying to find the scripture and even using online Bible searches for all translations, but could not find the scripture.
As much as I hate to admit it, I had heard it so much I just knew it was a scripture but finally had to swallow my pride and ask a dear Saint about it. She so lovingly explained to me that we hear these great quotes which actually do have scripture to back them up that we get them confused with actual scripture. I now look at it with great respect, the short little quote with such powerful meaning and intense motivation.
“Bloom Where You are Planted”
Many times in my life, especially in the past few years when I’ve felt like the whole foundation of my life was quaking and crumbling beneath my feet, I’ve seen my Faith and my Trust in my Heavenly Father growing by leaps and bounds. God has proven himself to me over and over. His love, his mercy, his grace and his provision has been no less than amazing.
I keep two little plaques on my office wall as reminders while I work. One says, “Faith is not believing God can…it is knowing that he WILL” and the other says, “Faith is resting in God’s love, His presence and His provision.” Not doubting God or his ability to take care of me through the trials in my life, my flesh still wonders from time to time How, When and What if.
This past Christmas my precious elderly aunt who loves flowers with a passion, gave everyone Amaryllis bulbs. If you’ve never seen one, they are sold in little red cartons. The little kit comes with either rocks or a very small amount of soil and instructions on planting the giant bulb in its own container. I took my 2 bulbs to work and decided to see what they would do. I followed the directions carefully and planted the bulbs. I stood back and shook my head with unbelief. More than half of the large bulbs where exposed and still above the tiny amount of soil provided and I thought “how can this thing do anything?” But I continued to keep them watered and within days they both sprouted. I remember leaving work on a Friday and when I returned on Monday I found a large strong stem at least eight inches high and what appeared to be an actual unopened bloom. I couldn’t believe it. I continued to let them have sun and I watered them as the instructions showed. Then another sprout came up just beside the first one. Before the week was up I saw more unopened blooms appear. My second bulb was a little slower, but it too began to show 1 large stem. Before I knew it and to my total amazement the first plant had six beautiful huge flower blooms on it, each about the size of my fist. Then my second bulb opened up and I had four beautiful blooms also the size of my fist coming straight out of the top of the stem. My co-workers would come by with amazement and admire my real flowers that were actually growing in my office! I too found myself sitting there staring at the flowers and then I my eyes went down to the giant bulbs barely planted in a small amount of soil. The bulbs produced and fulfilled its purpose even in less than an ideal and normal situation. The Lord spoke to me and said “Bloom Where You Are Planted”.
With that word from the Lord I began my search and while I could not find the scripture, I found great treasures of information and spiritually nourishing morsels that gave me strength and motivation.
By no means playing down or minimizing Paul’s teaching in Phillipians 4:11-13, I quickly realized that the quote had so much more depth and meaning for me than simply to be content in whatever situation I was in. I found myself pondering the fact that I can be thankful and content for what I have and for God’s gifts and blessings on my life, but what do I do in return with those gifts and blessings? Are my gifts and blessings blooming and producing? God’s gifts and blessings are to be more than things that make me content or happy. They have purpose and meaning and should bring forth blooms. Just like my giant bulbs that were planted in small plastic containers with a very small amount of soil bloomed above and beyond their normal one bloom each per year, I too am encouraged to know that God has planted me where I am in life and that God does not make mistakes or have judgment lapses, he has a plan and a purpose for me. I have his promise in Luke 18:27 that says, “Things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” He also promised me in Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and of good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them; for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” Blooming where I am planted is a determined attitude to know (Colossians 1:10) “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;”
In my mind’s eye I remember a photo I took many years ago when my husband and I took a drive through the Texas Hill Country during wild flower season. We saw this beautiful hillside covered in Blue Bonnets and right in the center was one single little yellow Black Eyed Susie Daisy. It was definitely different and small, but it bloomed where it was planted and even in the midst of the grand splendor of that beautiful Blue Bonnet field, it stood out and made it presence known. I believe John Mason said it all when he said, “Develop an infinite capacity to ignore what others think can’t be done. Don’t just grow where you are planted. Bloom where you are Planted. No one can predict to what heights you can soar. Even you will not know until you spread your wings.”
Little is Much(When God is in It)Words and Music by Kittie L. Suffield1924
In the harvest field now ripenedThere’s a work for all to do;Hark! the voice of God is callingTo the harvest calling you.
RefrainLittle is much when God is in it!Labor not for wealth or fame.There’s a crown and you can win it,If you go in Jesus’ Name.
In the mad rush of the broad way,In the hurry and the strife,Tell of Jesus’ love and mercy,Give to them the Word of Life.
RefrainLittle is much when God is in it!Labor not for wealth or fame.There’s a crown and you can win it,If you go in Jesus’ Name.
Does the place you’re called to laborSeem too small and little known?It is great if God is in it,And He’ll not forget His own.
RefrainLittle is much when God is in it!Labor not for wealth or fame.There’s a crown and you can win it,If you go in Jesus’ Name.
Are you laid aside from service,Body worn from toil and care?You can still be in the battle,In the sacred place of prayer.
RefrainLittle is much when God is in it!Labor not for wealth or fame.There’s a crown and you can win it,If you go in Jesus’ Name.
When the conflict here is endedAnd our race on earth is run,He will say, if we are faithful,“Welcome home, My child - well done!”
RefrainLittle is much when God is in it!Labor not for wealth or fame.There’s a crown and you can win it,If you go in Jesus’ Name.
