Isaiah 61:3 – “To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.” 

Psalm 92:13-15 – “Those who are planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.  14 They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing, 15 to declare that the LORD is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.”  NKJV

All of my Christian life I have heard ‘bloom where you are planted’ and like what it says but can I suggest that it is too frequently not a reality in most lives.  I know, I know, Roy’s being negative but I really hope to turn this into a positive.  I am convinced that each person has a role, a mission, a calling, and assignment in life.  There may be many assignments and you may be planted in different gardens from time to time but too often we as ‘plants’ react the same as ‘living stones’ in the building of the Body we do not stay put!

If the Lord moves us then who am I to argue with the Lord!  However some never ‘bloom’ because they do not stay planted long enough to develop a root system so they can bloom much less produce fruit.  It takes time to ‘bloom’ in the Kingdom and in our instant everything world and the, what’s in it for me mentality that has permeated our society we move around searching for something.  Tragically, we do not always know what we are searching for but I suggest it is for that significance that can only come from being where God wants us and doing what God has called us to do.

I know in my own life when I am 100% certain that I am doing exactly what God desires where God desires it I am so satisfied and secure that nothing could shake me.  As a minister who has served in the role of pastor I know what it is to become dissatisfied and think that a change of location will heal that emptiness or longing inside only to find the condition being repeated in a few years.  It matters not if you are the lead pastor or a member of the congregation with no office if God planted you there STAY THERE.  In the plant world it takes time to grow, develop, become established and produce fruit.  In times of drought the gardener must provide water and nutrition.  In times of cold there must be covering and protection from the elements.  There is pruning, weeding, and continual care from the gardener and our spiritual gardener is the Holy Spirit as He ministers the Life of Christ in us.

We have an absolute promise from the Lord that if we are ‘planted’ by God and we allow the heavenly gardener to provide that which only He can provide, in time we will PRODUCE FRUIT!  We will produce that fruit in abundance and for a long time!  My heart cries for each of us to become Trees of Righteousness the Planting of the Lord and BLOOM WHERE WE ARE PLANTED!  If this is a dry season do not become frustrated but seek the nurture and care of the heavenly gardener for in due season you will reap if you do not faint.

            May God be with you as you go through this day!