December 10th
December 10th
Bloom where you are planted.
Sometimes we spend way too much energy on trying to change our circumstances. This was one of the downsides of COVID isolation. Instead of gleaning everything we could from that terrible situation, too often we were focused on getting back to “normal” or getting past it. There was a lot of good that came from it, and I am afraid that we missed out on much of what the Lord wanted us to glean from that time because our focus was on getting past it.
This is not to say that looking forward to better days is unreasonable or wrong, but we need to realize that we may be right in the middle of what God wants and we should lean in to see what we are supposed to do or learn.
Remember, we were created for such a time as this!
Acts 17:26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.
He decided when in history you would live, where you would live and who you would meet. So rather than focusing energy on changing your situation, seek the Lord for direction concerning your circumstances, location, job, and the people in your life. You were created with a plan and purpose in mind, lean in to that.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Rather than making your own plans and setting your own goals without consulting your Father in Heaven, ask Him what you can do to thrive in the situation you are in currently. Your response to your situation will impact those around you, even strangers or those you don’t realize that you impact. Whether your situation is good or challenging, your response is a telltale sign of where your heart and focus are fixed. People notice when you have a good attitude in the midst of troubled times, they notice when you walk in joy despite challenges or pain, they notice when you thrive despite the harsh misfortunes this world brings. Godly responses offer hope to those around us. You were created for such a time as this and your response to that determines how you come through your circumstances and who you bring with you to the healing side of things.
So seek to bloom where you are planted, the Lord won’t let you miss out if it is time for you to move on or change your situation, He will make sure you know, just keep yourself tethered to Him and you will have everything you need at every moment to be who/where He created you to be!
When we focus on getting somewhere else, we miss out on the blessings that God has planted in the midst of our present circumstances. Start looking for those blessings right where you are, you will be surprised where you will find them!
This Christmas season, let us focus, each moment of our day, on being who Christ created us to be so that we can thrive in our circumstances and have maximum impact on those around us! They are watching, let’s be the light, let’s be intriguing, let’s point them to Jesus!
Jesus, help me to see my situation through your eyes. Help me not to miss out on what you have planned for me because my focus is misdirected toward different circumstances or getting past the present. Help me to be grateful for what you have given me instead of focused on what I don’t have or what is hard. Remind me that you never ask me to do anything that is too hard for me to do with your help. Remind me that I can do all things through you who gives me strength. Help me to remember that I have a divine appointment with my current circumstances and the people in my life right now, help me to understand what I need to do and how I need to approach my current situation. Give me a fresh perspective and help me to thrive in you right were I am now. Thank you Jesus for not giving up on me and for being willing to help me and use me in the middle of the mess. Thank you that what may seem like less than ideal circumstances to me may be a perfect setup to you.