Bloom Where You Are Planted
Posted on Aug 8, 2011 | 13 comments
I was standing in my kitchen the other day, seemingly no different than any other day of my life. My wife, Lisa, was chatting on the phone with a dear friend of hers and I was busy returning work related emails and responding to people on twitter as I’m apt to do. When she hung up the phone, without so much as lifting an eyebrow from the iridescent screen, I casually asked who she was speaking with. Not because I was interested, truth be told I was too selfishly engrossed with my stuff, I was just being polite, nosy, or both.
She told me who she had just hung up with and from behind my laptop I uttered, “oh that’s nice,” hoping that would suffice and we’d both go about our days without incident. Thousand one, thousand two, almost clear I thought. “I just had the most interesting conversation,” she said, which as any married man knows is code for: shut the laptop, set aside the cell phone, and remove all objects within eyesight that might distract you from paying attention to the conversation we’re about to have!
Lisa told me that her and her girlfriend talked about the kids, who they are, who they’re becoming, what purpose God has in store for them. I sat and listened, tail tucked firmly between my legs trying hard to stay on topic and not let my mind wander back to what I had been working on. As we furthered the discussion she told me that her friends dad had a saying, a family mantra if you will…
“Bloom where you’re planted!”
Four little words, such a simple concept, but as powerful as the oceans tide. I’m not sure about you, but if you’re anything like me, it’s easy to look at other people, to see their success, their good fortune, their blessings, and forget about your own. We look at our neighbors homes, cars, jobs, talents, community involvement, and everything else we covet and we become intimidated. We shut the door on life and toss away the key, convincing ourselves that we are some how inadequate, that we can’t make a difference…. Oh how wrong we are!
I remember going to Victory Bible Camp every summer as a young boy. We used to sing a song there everyday, “This Little Light of Mine.” Have you heard it? Do you remember it?
“This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine, oh this little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!”
“Hide it under a rock, oh no! I’m gonna let it shine, said hide it under a rock oh no I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine all the time!”
Matthew 28 verse 19-20 gives us a glimpse into the heart of God, a plan for us known as the Great Commission:
(19)- Therefore go make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Sprit,
(20)- teaching them to obey all I have commended you. And remember, I am always with you, even to the end of the age.
I realize it sounds intimidating, a bit overwhelming. Make disciples of all nations…how can I make a difference in all nations?
Easy…All Nations starts at your front door! Open the door, walk outside and fix your eyes on the fertile soil Gods placed in front of you and start sowing seeds. Neighbors, the clerk at the grocery store, Starbucks, the dry cleaner, whoever crosses the path of your daily grind. Life beats all of us down, it’s hard, and we all can use a word of encouragement, a kind smile, and the love of Christ!
You don’t have to pack your bags to be a missionary… Let that little light shine…
“Bloom where you’re planted!”