I was driving a friend to dinner one night and happened to have a
conversation with her over the phrase “bloom where you are planted”. You may have grown up with the phrase, like I
did, but she is from a different country and was unfamiliar with the phrase.
“Bloom where you are planted. Basically, it
means to grow wherever God puts you. You know, like a flower blooms in the
soil.”
Then, my friend made a very valid statement, “But sometimes, the flower
dies.”
Ah, yes. Sometimes the flower
dies. Sometimes the plant withers and
the heart breaks. Sometimes the dream is
turned to dust. Sometimes the walls are
destroyed. Let me be a little vulnerable
here: sometimes I don’t bloom. Sometimes
my dreams are crushed and sometimes my walls are destroyed. Sometimes, all the work of my lifetime that I have
put into a task or a project is looked over and I’m left wondering, “What is left?”
Well, a fragment. Fragments are
left. Nehemiah’s city was
fragmented. And what did he do with the
vision God placed in his heart? Nehemiah
led his fellow countrymen (and women!) into a strategic plan to rebuild what
was fragmented. The key to their success
was to take what was in front of them and build it up based on the threats that
were specific to their part of the wall.
Each person was responsible for a little part, and their little part, in
turn, helped fortify the whole city.
God has a vision for rebuilding us, too. When
you or I find ourselves left with pieces of a fragmented dream, or even a
reality that went badly wrong, God will step in to redeem these fragmented
pieces and build something even greater out of them, if we let Him.
 |
| Garden of Gethsemane, Israel May 2012 |
You see, sometimes the flower dies, but sometimes it only dies for a
season. Sometimes it just needs to be
replanted into richer soil (like when you lose a job and are relocated),
fertilized with the right nutrients (like when you become sick and have to
cleanse your body of the sickness), watered (like when you are simply drained
from life and need to take time to rest and recuperate), or placed in the right
light (like when you have a bad day that helps you see a different
perspective).
Chapter 3 of Nehemiah shows us that God’s plan for our success involves
not just where we’re at, but it is also about taking advantage of the other resources
He has given us in this place. Also, we
learn that no success is found alone – there are always people surrounding us
and God directing us. As in blooming, I
may be the best gardener ever, but God alone sees that the seed opens and life
comes forth.
Blooming is not easy. Blooming
requires lots of growth, lots of change, lots of waiting, and lots of weather
changes. But this process also develops strength
and beauty that cannot be found in a closed seed sitting in soil.
Dare to pick up the pieces of what is left. Dare to go to God with a fragment and work
with Him as He rebuilds what has been broken and lost in your life. Dare to bloom where you have been planted.
Questions for Reflection
- What things in your life have been shattered (seemingly) beyond repair?
- Can you see where God has had a divine purpose in allowing these things to happen?
- How might God use your broken walls to draw people closer together? How might God use your broken walls to draw people to Him? What makes the difference in bringing people together and bringing people to Him?
- Are you willing to let God restore what has been lost in your life?
- What is holding you back from daring to live a life of Christ-honoring influence in the place God has planted you?
Nehemiah Bible Study
If you want to join my friends and I and dive into this FREE Bible study, click here! You can do it solo or start a group. The study is posted online each week along with a companion study guide. And if you do decide to jump into the fun, please email me with your thoughts on the lessons. I hope to hear form you!
Special thanks for the practical application of all the ladies in attendance this week! You’re stories and thoughts are a blessing!
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