Bloom Where You're Planted

 

A few summers ago, I was walking along the side of the house when I noticed a tiny tomato plant growing in the space between the air conditioner and the fence. The seed must have come from a bird eating a tomato from the vegetable garden on the other side of the house. I was amazed to see it growing in a little area between the bricks, unwatered, getting very little sun. I started watering it and the plant grew to be enormous. It produced over 200 grape tomatoes before the first frost hit.

 The “little tomato that could” was a perfect example to me of persistence in the face of adversity, the idea that we should “bloom where we’re planted”.  Whatever situation you may find yourself in today, God has a plan for you that will lead to your best life. This must be true if we believe in an all-powerful God whose love is infinite. There is nothing that is beyond God’s capacity.  If your hope is wavering, reflect on Joseph. Thrown into a pit and left to die by his brothers, then pulled out of the pit and sold into slavery, Joseph began to make a life for himself in Egypt until he was unjustly accused and thrown into prison. He spent years in prison until God worked to not only bring him out of prison, but to make him one of the most powerful men in Egypt. Joseph was later able to tell his brothers, “Do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you….to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance” (Gen 45:5,7).

 

Over the years, when life has seemed difficult, I have re-read a favorite book of mine, Hinds’ Feet on High Places, by Hannah Hurnard. It is an allegory about dealing with and overcoming the difficulties we encounter along our Christian walk. You may find it helpful.

 

“Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Heb 12:1-3).