Are we growing—Where God has planted us?
Yesterday, on Easter Sunday, I received some photos from across “the pond,” from across that body of water that separates me from hugging and sharing time with those I love. In one particular photo, a former student shared a simple bench, one that was beside the sea and one, that when she saw it, she wrote, “I thought about you.” My heart was bursting with love for this particular student.
The photo: a simple park bench.
The color: a dark blue.
The image painted on the bench: Jesus, the Only One.
The words: “Praised be You, my LORD, with all Your creatures.”
Behind the park bench, was a black rod-iron fence, and beyond the fence, pot after pot after pot, each one filled with a different type of flower or herb or vegetable. Sticking out of the pot was a “identifying stick,” one that gave the name of the plant found within the plot.
Where has God placed You?
Where has God placed Me?
Are you growing? Am I growing—where God has planted us?
Are we supplying what others need (to those who surround us)?
Are we being used by God—You & Me?
This simple photo touched me.
This student’s words touched my heart.
The truth of the words painted upon the bench touched me deeply.
The photo of the potted plants reminded me.
“Praised be You, my LORD, with all Your creatures.”
- Am I fully planted where God has placed me?
- Are you?
- Am I growing in spiritual maturity where God has placed me in life?
- Are you?
- Am I rooted deeply into the Word of God, allowing His Word to feed my being?
- Are you?
- Am I being watered daily with the living water only God provides?
- Are you?
“Last day I was at the sea and when I saw that I thought about you.”
This student saw something in her world, more than 5,000+ miles away . . . and thought about me. “Thank You, God.” I could do nothing on Easter Sunday but praise God for the opportunity He had given me back on May 1st (this particular student’s birthday) when she was placed in my classroom. I remember the day so well.
The sun was shining bright.
I finished my afternoon hallway duty and then walked out to the parking lot to speak with the FE coordinator.
“Will you accept her (this student) into your classroom for the next few days?
A question. Normally May 1st was not the day to gain new students, but there she sat, looking for a classroom teacher, for a school to finish out her study abroad journey.
I remember looking at the student. “She looks so far away, like one who needs a classroom home,” and thinking, “I could provide that place for her.”
“Yes,” I replied. “Let’s go talk with the school administrator.”
That was the moment of a beautiful relationship, and even though she had to move back home, still, seven years later, we still talk about her life, about God, and about her future visit.
Thank You, God.
Are we growing where God has planted us?
Are we accepting His Word deep into our hearts, realizing that He is preparing us for a day where we will touch the world—for HIM?
Thank You, Jesus.
I read this morning, reminding me, that when the LORD chose David, he was just a boy, a shepherd tending sheep. The LORD prepared David for the calling, for the task He was chosen to do. The prophet came (sent by God) to search for the next King of Israel, even while King Saul still sat upon the throne. SEE THE HOLY WORD of GOD WITH ME.
“I have found David My servant;
With My holy oil I have anointed him,
With whom My hand will be established;
My arm also will strengthen him.
The enemy will not deceive him,
Nor the son of wickedness afflict him.
But I shall crush his adversaries before him,
And strike those who hate him.
My faithfulness and My lovingkindness will be with him,
And in My name his horn will be exalted.
I shall also set his hand on the sea
And his right hand on the rivers.
He will cry to Me, ‘You are my Father,
My God, and the rock of my salvation.’”
(Psalm 89: 20-26)
The season of growing where he was planted, of allowing himself to grow as the LORD directed would not be easy for young David, but grow he did, growing where God planted him, getting him ready for what lay ahead. At that time, David was just a teenager, and the only thing he controlled was a field of sheep.
Yet, even in that, God was preparing David for what lay ahead.
David did not always experience “easy” growth; struggles and afflictions seemed to pursue him; yet David grew-up in the LORD as he placed his trust in God.
Are we growing where God has planted us?
Are we accepting His Word deep into our hearts, realizing that He is preparing us for a day where we will touch the world—for HIM?
Thank You, God.
At that time, King Saul, placed young David in charge of an army of men; however, it was not long before the king began to feel threatened because to his 1,000 defeats, David was experiencing 10,000. Surely, this young David needed to be dealt with, the king proclaimed.
How is the LORD working in your life? & How is the LORD working in my life?
How is the LORD preparing us for what lies ahead?
How is the LORD getting us ready for what we cannot even see in our future?
Are we actively seeking His growth—God’s?
Are we thanking God for the opportunity to grow in the small ways as we prepare for the future only God can see?
Can we accept God’s training, God’s plan—for what God knows and sees in His omniscience?
“Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
(1 Corinthians 10: 31)
Every Situation.
Every Person.
Every Place.
Every Career Placement.
Every Second of Every Day—Belongs to God.
Every Moment is an Opportunity to Honor God.
- Driving.
- Exercising.
- Teaching.
- Raising Children.
- Reading the Bible.
- Working.
- Parenting.
- Attending Church.
- Cooking Dinner.
- Helping a Friend.
- Picking up Socks.
- Sweeping the Floor.
- Dusting the Furniture.
- Grading Papers.
- Speaking to Strangers.
- Buying Groceries.
- Buying Fuel.
- Living.
- Breathing.
Whatever we do, daily & throughout this day, and tomorrow, and tomorrow after tomorrow—belongs to God!
Whatever we do, let us “Do It—EVERYTHING—for the LORD” because God is preparing us, growing us, using us—for HIS GLORY!
Are we growing where God has planted us?
Are we accepting His Word deep into our hearts, realizing that He is preparing us for a day where we will touch the world—for HIM?
Thank You, Father, for the opportunity to serve YOU!
Hallelujah—head to toe.
Hallelujah! That is how a Christian should live.
Hallelujah, Thank You, Father, for using me.
Hallelujah, Thank You, God, for allowing me to grow where I am planted.
Hallelujah, Thank You, Jesus, for providing me a way to know God.
Hallelujah, Thank YOU—ALMIGHTY GOD—for allowing us to know YOU!