Are You Blooming?

In my opinion, spring is one of the most beautiful and inspiring seasons. Everywhere I look I see new growth; trees budding, daffodils blooming, grass sprouting new shoots, and bushes taking on new growth. It is a wonderland scene, and you take in the beauty of new growth. Throughout the spring season, I can’t help but think of my personal growth and my maturity in Christ.

As I laid in bed last night talking to my 9-year-old daughter, I sensed some growth in her little heart. Seeds have been planted in her heart and mind that has given her a desire to know Jesus more and to have questions about her faith. I can just picture her heart as a small bud that is blooming into a beautiful blossom.

There are many steps that go into a seed growing into a flower. Germination is the awakening growth of a dormant seed into a plant that puts off new growth. It begins with water to soften the outer coat of the seed and activate enzymes that trigger growth by making it absorb water and make the seed coat rupture. Once the seed is ruptured, root and shoot development begin as nutrients begin to be absorbed. There is a careful balance during this stage between moisture, warmth, and oxygen. It takes all three to set the foundation for future growth and blooming.

As we grow closer to God through our study, communication with Him, and experiences, we mature to be more like Him. Our blooming is activated by something or someone who God has called to plant the seed in our hearts. This could be a Bible passage, sermon, song, or thought that sets us on a path to desire to learn more. We can even be used by God to plant a seed in someone else without even knowing what we have done. God doesn’t always make us aware that a seed has been planted for Him to make it grow. Then what we do with that desire is the water that makes the seed coat rupture to start the growth process. Our experiences and how we respond to God through them allows for growth that we did not expect. From there, God takes over and performs a miracle in the hearts of all of us.

God is the One who is continually making Christians grow, but He does choose to use us in this beautiful creation. He calls each of us to plant seeds, to water them, or maybe even do both. We may be the hands and feet of God, but we can never replace Him. He is the One that brings a person to Him. When you don’t see growth in a person that you have planted a seed in, don’t be discouraged, God is doing work that you may not see. Thank Him for the times that are special, and you do get the privilege to see the growth. He is always working even when we can’t see it.

It is vital that we continue to grow through the planting of seeds and our experiences. The growth of strong roots and stems help in every aspect of our growth. They help in the absorption of nutrients, understanding, truth, and wisdom. They also help in our structural integrity, sanctification. Jesus says, I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. (John 15:5) Jesus must be the source of our growth. If Jesus is the vine we are connected to, we are placing Him first in our lives. When we are connected to the world instead of to Him we begin to wither and become frail and brittle. If you cut a branch from a tree and leave it out for a day, you will see that it does not take long to begin to die. The green leaves curl up and become brown, the branch becomes dry and brittle, and you can see almost an immediate decline in the production of blooms or fruit. We are growing only when we are connected to Jesus.

As we look at growth this spring, we can ask ourselves, “How do I see the evidence of God in my growth?” Are we allowing others and our experiences to bring us closer to God so that He can perform the miracle of growth in us? If we are not growing, we are dying.

Or maybe God is calling you to plant a seed in someone’s heart and rely on Him to grow them. Plant a seed by placing Jesus in your conversations. Ask a friend how you can pray for them. Help someone through a hard day by leading them to rely on Jesus. There are many ways to plant seeds and at the same time, God blesses us by growing us as well.

“Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:4

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6-7

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy to the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience” Colossians 1:9b-11

Digging Deeper:

Where in your walk with Christ do you need growth?

Who do you need to plant the seed of Jesus in?