Bloom Where You’re Planted

“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?” (Deut. 10:12, 13 — NIV)

Recently I transplanted one of my African violets — giving it a new home in fertile soil with hopes that soon it will blossom. For the health of my plant, I followed some specific guidelines: use fresh potting soil; carefully handle the rootball; and water gently after transplanting, avoiding the leaves. 

Before returning the violet to its sunny spot in my east-facing window, I whispered,

“Bloom where you’re planted.”

Day by day I wait for a single bud. Honestly, I’m prone to disappointment. In the past, impatience has gotten the best of me, and I’ve put my plants at risk by over-watering and over-handling — thus causing damage.

Yes, patience is difficult in the face of disappointment, and it’s easy to become enticed to step out on one’s own rather than wait.

Today I read about the children of Israel who, after their wilderness wandering, are nearing their long-awaited new home just east of the Jordan — a fertile land flowing with milk and honey (Deut. 11:9b) where they will grow.

Instructed by the LORD, Moses exhorts the people — reminding them of God’s boundless mercy and love despite their propensity to waywardness. God’s guidelines are clear: fear, love, and serve Him; walk in obedience to Him and observe His laws and decrees…

All for their safety and their good (Deut. 10:13b) — that they might ‘bloom‘ in the Promise Land.

Still, often times when their expectations met reality, they faced disappointment. After all, they expected to hear the LORD’s commandments and worship Him, but when Moses was gone for 40 days, surely they began asking,

“Shouldn’t he have returned by now?“

Disappointed, their impatience grew — enticing them to step out on their own and build a golden calf that they might worship in their time… in their way (Deut. 9:7-17).

And sadly, I get that. 

Thankfully the Lord is gracious and kind — abounding in love. Like the children of Israel, He desires that we flourish as we wait — yes, perhaps even in places we’d rather not be. He reminds us in His Word —

“… faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today… then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine, and olive oil” (Deut. 11:14).

So… let’s not grow disappointed and wilt in waiting. Instead…

Let’s bloom wherever God plants us!

In her book The Best Yes, Lisa Terkeurst says, “The space between our expectations and our realities is a fertile field… the perfect place to grow… disappointment.” Where is disappointment growing in your life due to unmet expectations? Is there someone with whom you might share this — asking for accountability and prayer. Remember:

There’s a season for everything. And God makes all things beautiful in HIS time. (Ecc. 3)