“Bloom where you are planted.”
Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622), Bishop of Geneva.
Everyone I know is planting gardens, trying to make their own food or at least passing the time in quarantine. Gardens bring a sense of purpose and hope. This past week a little creature ate the heads off my sunflower plants, making me extremely frustrated. This happened in our small town too, some people tried to ruin the “garden” where we live. In my discouragement, I remembered to fix my eyes on the giver of the garden and His provisions.
These turbulent times have brought loss and mourning to countless people. From the aged to the youth, I see a nation that is mourning and weeping. A nation in need of a miraculous recovery. How best to do this? The key is not trusting in yourself or becoming more selfish. There is one who has ransomed us all. He has paid the penalty for all the sin in the world. His redemption is the answer. It is the path to find grace and rest for our weary souls.
Every morning is a new day with new mercies and grace. To awake to this truth is a gift from God. Each morning I can choose to wake up to this truth or be weighed down by the news and events of the day. There is still protesting going on and businesses in my area are still mourning their losses. The prophet Jeremiah gives us a roadmap to healing and recovery. It is a bit of a history lesson of how the God’s people rose up from their mourning.
“The people who survived the sword (unrest) FOUND GRACE in the wilderness (time of waiting and wondering). When Israel SOUGHT REST the Lord appeared to them from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.
AGAIN I will build you, and you shall be built….
AGAIN you shall plant vineyards….and shall enjoy the fruit.”
(Jeremiah 31:2-5)
“For the Lord has ransomed Israel and has REDEEMED him from hands too strong for him. They shall come and sing aloud on the height of ZIon, they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord over the grain, the wine, and the oil, and over the young of the flock and herd, their life shall be like a watered garden and they shall languish no more.” (Jeremiah 31:11-12)
Now is the time to plant vineyards and water gardens to bring healing to the land through God’s love and grace. Christ came to redeem and purify us so that we could be a people who are zealous for good works. (Titus 2:14) My prayer for all of us is that God will restore a heart of zeal where we have become complacent. Help to transform and renew our spirits in God our HOPE. To run the race that He has called us to run. With Zeal. With purposeful hearts. Being fruitful and growing where He has planted us.
BLOOM
GRACE. REST. REDEEM.
What garden is God asking me to nurture with His grace?
Photo credit: Chloe Schmidgall