Bloom Where You're Planted

Are you truly content with where God has you right now?

If you're like most people, you would probably have to answer "no" to that question.

Most people simply have not learned to be content, in whatever condition they are in. 

You are always dissatisfied with your position, or how you feel are being treated at work. Your car just isn't good enough any more. You'd feel you would be happier if you lived on the other side of town in a bigger house. Your church isn't living up to your expectations and now you're shopping for a better one. Your spouse or significant other just doesn't appreciate you enough and you feel that maybe another person might make you happier.

All the above examples have one root problem; self. 

And from self comes self-focus. 

The problem is, most of us are "me-monsters."

"It's all about me."

The photo of a rose flourishing in the midst of thorns is very telling. This is a symbol of someone who has learned to be content no matter what state they are in. They have surrendered their will to God, and have chosen to bloom where they have been planted—even though their life is surrounded by thorny circumstances. 

They are not constantly looking for a better situation. They are content with their station in life—thankful for what they do have—not disgruntled or dissatisfied over what they don't.

Which best describes you?

Are you truly content with where God has you right now?  Or are you constantly trying to 'fix the fix' that you feel you are in?

Did you ever stop to consider that God, who is sovereign, may have planted you where you are at for a reason? For His purpose? For your benefit? Or for the benefit of someone else?

One of my favorite passages in all of scripture is Psalm 1:1-3.

"Blessed is the man who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take, or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on His law day and night. That man is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields fruit in its season, and whose leaf does not wither—whatever he does prospers."

This passage describes a spiritually mature person who has chosen to enter in to God's rest—whose life is deeply rooted in Christ, as described in Psalm 1:3.  He or she is not constantly looking for a better gig in life, never satisfied or thankful for what they do have, easily up-rooted by trials, ready to bail at the first sign of difficulty. 

If you're always looking for a way out of the fix you feel that you are in, constantly seeking the path of least resistance, striving to escape the suffering and trials with which this life is wrought—your life is not deeply rooted spiritually. Your life is shallow. Your roots are just under the surface, planted in shifting sand, ready to be up-rooted and blown away at the first sign of adversity.  

You're exhausted.

Jesus said:

"Come to Me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:28-29)

To take Jesus' yoke upon yourself, you must choose to submit your life and will to Him in all things—even to where He has you in life right now—as difficult as that may be.  

He said "Learn from Me." 

Jesus did not try to escape His suffering. He embraced it, because of His love for you and for me. 

He said He will give us rest for our souls if we learn from Him. Rest in Him and be content with where He has you right now. Only then will you find rest for your soul. 

There is no rest in constantly striving to make your life or situation better.

Like a rose flourishing in the midst thorns—bloom where you're planted.

—God is Love and Love Never Fails.