“Every Flower must grow through dirt”
What does this quote mean to you?
We all need to grow, all the time, or at least we should. When we stop learning, experiencing new things, we stop growing and eventually stop living the life we are created for. We all love our comfort zone. It can be a safe and comfy place, restful, no demands or expectations, but stay too long and we start making excuses and silly reasons why not to get back out into life.
Where is your comfy zone? Mine is my safe little home with the people I love. No strangers or challenges can reach me there, unless my phone rings, or beeps at me to go and get ready. I have got to get over those what-ifs, if I want to reach my goals and walk the life God has for me. Stay too long in the comfort zones and we become discontented, and grumpy, even there. Day-dreaming or worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do but doesn’t get you anywhere.
We all love to see the fruits of our labours, but sometimes it takes longer than we hoped and discouragement settles in. Here’s a thought…perhaps, just because we can’t see or feel something, it doesn’t mean that it’s not there or on its way. I do believe God answers prayers right when we ask Him. Sometimes we think God hasn’t heard or He is taking His time, for the answers are slow in getting to us, but eventually, at the right time, we have what we have asked for.
Just like the life of the flower seed. It starts out very small, and can be dormant for a short or long period of time, depending on circumstances surrounding it. However that seed knows that in order to grow and achieve its goal it can no longer be dormant, or tiny, or just a bland seed, comfortable in its warm packet. It has to be dropped in dirt, covered in darkness, cracked open and become completely undone, so that what’s on the inside can grow and be able to struggle to reach the light, for it to change into the purpose it was created for – a beautiful, fragrant, colourful flower. It will be in God’s perfect timing and not its own, that it will fulfil its life and purpose, with nothing missing, nothing broken, for all of us to admire, to be encouraged and inspired to enjoy life around us.
A. Pearce wrote, “Wouldn’t it be terrible, wouldn’t it be sad, if just one single colour was the colour that we had. If everything was purple, or red, or blue or green, if yellow, pink or orange was all that could be seen. Can you just imagine how dull the world would be, if just one single colour was all we got to see?”
If we stay too long in our comfy zone, life loses its colour, becomes dull, lacks excitement and interest. It can become a dark, lonely, cold place. However the moment we decide that regret, fearfulness or I’m just too tired, is not where we want to live and rise to meet the what-if’s. To “I can do this through Christ who has given me the strength, wisdom and power to accomplish, to live and enjoy this life to the full.”
Then faith starts to grow from the small potency of a small mustard seed faith, to the BIG aroma of all that we have been created for, by a BIG God. So even though you and I may feel like we’re not making any progress, have BIG faith. Learn to see things that don’t exist. Stand firm on God’s promises and not the circumstances that may be surrounding you or I. Look at the colours around and be inspired.
God says in Psalms 46:10, ‘Be still and know that I am God.’
And also in Proverbs 3:5-6, ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.’
Instead of being anxious or hiding in our comfy places, we need to fill our mind and hearts with God’s promises, for:
His timing is always perfect
He is faithful
He is truth
He is provision
He forgives
He restores
He heals
He is Jehovah Shammah: The Lord is there! He is already in our tomorrows
His love NEVER fails!