Day 14

“Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Phil. 1:6

I love seeing photos of solitary flowers that have struggled to grow among rocky crags or cracks in broken concrete pavements. How their seed came to be planted there is always a mystery!

But more amazing is how they not only survived in that hostile surrounding, but also bloomed into the flower they were meant to be.

Sometimes we are planted in surroundings hostile to God and to our Christian principles. We have an urge to pick up our feet and run, and to plant ourselves in a more nurturing environment, a place where other ‘plantings’ are more like us.

But maybe, possibly, God has us just where we need to be. He may be using us to bring light to a very dark place.  He may want to strengthen our faith by testing how well we do when conditions aren’t ideal. He may be saying to us, “Bloom where I’ve planted you in this garden, because I need you to bring beauty to a place that is barren. You may have struggles, but I will ensure that you thrive.”

Dear Father,

Help us to have the courage and wisdom to remain in situations that seem hopeless and need encouragement. Help us to see that we can be the light to others who are planted in darkness.  We ask this in Your Son’s holy name, Amen.

– Deborah Steinbaker