Bloom Where You're Planted

For this reason I left you at Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you — Titus 1:5

Last year, I planted some climbing roses in our front flower bed. I planned to weave them into the iron-scrolled column on the corner of the porch. Unfortunately, the porch was a bit too tall to do much weaving. The roses didn’t know my plan, so they grew and bloomed anyway.

They didn’t complain. They didn’t rebel. They just bloomed and stood beautifully, exactly where they were.

You’ve probably heard the old saying, “Bloom where you’re planted.” I don’t know who coined the phrase, but it’s definitely a biblical concept. Paul told Titus to do the same. He was left in a difficult place, Crete, to “bloom”—to set things in order and appoint elders.

Sadly, it seems some people forget that they cannot serve God where they’re not. Yes, they can pray for and give to places they aren’t, but they can’t physically serve.

We must serve where God has planted us. I made a bit of a mistake, I guess, in the placement of my roses. But the Master Gardner never makes a blunder. He puts us exactly where we need to be, exactly when we need to be there.

Martyred Missionary Jim Elliot once said, “Wherever you are, be all there! Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God.” 

Where are you today? Where has God placed you? Right at that spot, He desires to use you — so bloom away!

Father, Thank You for being in charge of my life. Help me to serve You where You’ve placed me today for Your glory. Open my eyes to the opportunities You’ve put before me, and help me to point others to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.