4.28.9 "Bloom Where You're Planted"

"Bloom Where You're Planted"

Judges 8:18-9:21
Luke 23:44-24:12
Psalm 99:1-9
Proverbs 14:9-10

Excuses are like belly buttons. Everybody has one. We often want to come up with a reason why we can't succeed where we are right now. There's usually an excuse for why we can't do a better job. We see all these obstacles. "If I had a bigger desk" "If I had a smaller desk" "If people would appreciate me more" "If I could work for a different boss" "If the people who work under me were more competent" "If I had a promotion, THEN I could do it right..." There's always something.

In today's reading there's an interesting story in Judges. After Gideon's successes, the people want to make him king. "But Gideon replied, 'I will not be your king, nor shall my son; the Lord is your King!'" (Jud 8:23)

Gideon has 70 sons, and one son from a concubine. His name is Abimilech. After Gideon dies, Abimilech decides he's going to be king. He gains some support and kills 69 of his half brothers. One of them, Jotham escapes and goes into hiding. When the people gather to make Abimilech king, Jotham comes out of hiding to tell this story.

"When Jotham heard about his, he... shouted across to the men of Shechem, 'If you want God's blessing, listen to me! Once upon a time the trees decided to elect a king. First they asked the olive tree, but it refused.

"'"Should I quit producing the olive oil that blesses God and man, just to wave to and fro over the other trees?" it asked.

"'Then they said to the fig tree, "You be our King!" But the fig tree also refused. "Should I quit producing sweetness and fruit just to lift my head above all the other trees?" it asked. Then they said to the grapevine, "You reign over us!" But the grapevine replied, "Shall I quit producing the wine that cheers both God and man, just to be mightier than all the other trees?"

"'Then all the trees finally turned to the thorn bush. "You be our king!" they explained. And the thorn bush replied, "If you really want me, come and humble yourselves beneath my shade! If you refuse, let fire flame forth from me and burn down the great cedars of Lebanon!"'" (Jud 9:7-15)

The context of Jotham's story is a warning to them about appointing a king against God's plan.

Within this story, however, I found a different practical application. Notice the response of all the fruit bearing trees. They each knew their purpose. The pursuit of glory was not on their to-do list. The only one who wanted to "ascend" to greatness was the thorn bush.

We live in a society that promotes climbing the ladder of success. We're encouraged to promote self. This isn't God's way. He does however want us to be successful at whatever we put our hand to. There may be times when promotion comes, but it needs to come at the Lord's choosing, not our ambition.

We can be very distracted by "good" things. The only problem is that God has created us for "Great" things. These great things however, are probably not somewhere else. They are right where we are right now. Many opportunities are lost while people "wait" for the obstacle to get out of the way. They settle for mediocrity because their boss is difficult. "If I was in charge..." is the poison that corrupts the potential of the present.

You may feel you are in a holding pattern, but the truth is that you are in a proving ground. There is not an excuse or obstacle in your way to keep you from what God wants you to accomplish. Seek his face & his plan, and produce the fruit he has created you for. Don't look at the fruit others are producing and wish that was you.

Bloom where you're planted.



Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

P Greg


Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ