Bloom Where You're Planted

My Rebecca and her flower girl, 2004

“Wilderness and desert will sing joyously, the badlands will celebrate and flower – Like the crocus in spring, bursting into blossom, a symphony of song and color.” (Isa. 35:1 The Message)

       On Saturday, March 16^th, I’ll have the privilege of teaching the book of Daniel at a women’s retreat at Hawkins Chapel Baptist Church near Fort Payne, Alabama. Because Daniel was taken captive from Jerusalem as a teenager, carted off to Babylon, yet still served the purposes of God, the coordinator fittingly coined the theme: “Bloom Where You’re Planted” for this event.

       Life sometimes “plants” us in strange, unplanned circumstances. One of those seasons for me happened at Christmas time in 1988. A failed business and dried-up bank account, forced our family to leave our home in Louisiana and move into a relative’s lake cottage till we could get back on our feet financially.

       Even though my trust in God was immature, the Lord proved faithful, and we “found grace in the wilderness” (Jer. 31:2). He tested our faith to make it grow and taught us valuable, life-changing lessons. Over time, God transformed our desert into a watered garden, and I believe He has enabled us to bloom where He planted us.

       Are you in a difficult place? “O afflicted one, storm-tossed, and not comforted” (Isa. 54:11), look to Jesus – the Lord who longs to be gracious to you and waits on high to have compassion on you (Isa. 30:18). Entrust the dry, hard grounds under your feet to your Maker and bloom where you’re planted!