It’s almost Spring, however in Alabama because of our warmer climate things are starting to bloom! When I think of the word blooming, I think of flowers. One of the things I enjoy most is planting and watching the beauty a flower brings to my yard or my deck. It takes a lot of effort to keep flowers blooming in Alabama as the Spring to Summer months heat up. They must be watered daily, fertilized every other week, sprayed for bugs, pruned of diseased pieces, and sprayed to keep the deer and rabbits away. A lot of work to enjoy a few blooms. Yet, I work every year just to enjoy whatever blooms appear. My goal is to have healthy plants that produce beautiful greenery and vibrant blooms. As Christians, we need to “bloom” where God has planted us. Are you blooming where you are, or are you just existing?
Sometimes we may be like my plants. They don’t desire the heat that they are exposed to yet, they are there, because that’s where their owner, me, lives, in the hot Alabama sun. So how do we grow when the “heat is on?” We keep on pushing forward because of the hope that is within us from Christ. We know that he is working on our behalf all the time, to make us conformed to the image of His Son.
Romans 8:28-29 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”
We know that in the end what He is allowing in our lives will be to our ultimate good if we will stay close to Him. Sometimes, the pressures of life and the demands make us want to quit and look for greener pastures, but God’s plan has never been to take the easy way out. Instead, we are to look to Him for strength and perseverance. We are to study and pray more. This will draw us closer to God and allow the fertilizer of His word, and the refreshing water of prayer, to grow. Sometimes the heat and the drought may seem overwhelming, but we are not forsaken. We are to go on doing what we know would honor Him no matter what our circumstances. As David spoke to his son Solomon, God says to us, to be strong in Him, have courage and not be afraid. We are not to allow feelings of worry to overtake us. Why, because He will be with us. He will never fail us or forsake us.
I Chronicles 28:20 “And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.”
As we grow in our walk, the Bible teaches us to walk “circumspectly,” looking all around to ensure that we are not falling into a trap by the devil or slowly letting our guard down and sinning.
Ephesians 5:15 “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,”
So that we can keep blooming there are some things to remember. We must have fertilizer. The study of God’s word is crucial to growth. If we don’t study, we will become weak and immune.
II Timothy 2:15 “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Along with fertilizer must come water. Water is a daily need for anything to grow. We need to be thirsty for God to pour out His Spirit upon us. We must desire to talk to Him. Praying brings refreshing to our souls. We can talk to God about anything and know that He hears us and loves us beyond our wildest imaginations.
Isaiah 44:3-5: “I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring; and they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses. One shall say, I am the Lord’s; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord, and surname himself by the name of Israel.”
We need to check for “bugs or pest” that invade our lives. Pay attention to the things in our lives where sin can enter in such as the TV, radio, books we read, or friends we have. Romans 1:32 makes it clear that we are guilty of the sin if we are taking pleasure in those who do sin.
Romans 1:32 “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
We need to weed out the diseases of doubt, bitterness, and complaining that can put down roots quickly and grow rapidly. We are to lift one another up. We are to be grateful for all God has given and allowed in our lives.
Ephesians 4:29 “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
We need to keep the “deer and rabbits” away, those people who nibble away at our walk with God seeking to discourage us, or encourage us to do questionable things. There may be those who profess to be Christ-followers, but they still love their sin and enjoy pulling others into their sin.
Matthew 7:15 “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”
II Timothy 3:5 “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
If we will follow these simple directions, we will not only bloom where God has planted us, we will flourish! God wants us to be growing until we die, or he returns to take us home. It is up to us to be watchful and keep our guard up, and not allow sin in our lives. It’s our choice.
