Bloom Where You’re Planted

“I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. As the lily among thorns…” —Song of Solomon 2:1-2

The lily is one of the prettiest flowers God created since Solomon had lilies engraved on many parts of the Temple in Jerusalem. There are some important lessons we can learn about “the lily” Solomon mentions in his song.

First, consider the SITUATION of the lily. It is said to be situated in the valleys and among thorns. This is not a pleasant place. Valleys refer to the low places in life—Those times when things are dark and gloomy. Yet, it is here we find the lilies growing and blossoming.

Second, consider the SUFFERING of the lily. It is found in the midst of thorns. Thorns are not pretty. They are ugly and painful. Yet, here is the beautiful lily blooming with painful and ugly thorns all around it. Thorns speak of afflictions and trials.  Paul had “a thorn in the flesh.” He asked God to remove it three times. But instead of removing the thorn, God gave Paul His sufficient grace to bloom in spite of the thorn.

Third, consider the SPLENDOR of the lily.  God created the lily to bloom!  Jesus said, “Consider the lilies of the field…That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” The lily is not defined by it’s surroundings. The lily shows forth is beauty and sends out it’s sweet fragrance wherever it is situated!

I remember reading an article about a man who visited a West Virginia coal mine.  The thing that impressed him the most was everything was so black because of the coal dust.  But there among all this blackness he spotted a beautiful white lily.  Because of the smoothness of the flower’s petals the coal dust did not stick on the flower.  That lily would not be defined by it’s environment! And, neither should we!

Like a lily in the valley, or a lily among thorns, or a lily in a black coal mine, you can bloom and be a blessing wherever you are planted.

Ken Deal served as a volunteer in a prison ministry for over 30 years. At age 86 he preached his last sermon to the inmates of the prison he ministered at. His message was about serving the Lord while incarcerated. Many of those prisoners were serving life sentences. They were planted in a prison among thorns where they would never leave.  So Ken Deal challenged them to bloom where they were planted and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with their fellow inmates.

When the people of Judah were taken captive into Babylon because of their sins, God sent the prophet Jeremiah to them with this message: “Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them; Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished. And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.” (Jer. 29:5-7). In other words, God was telling them to bloom where they were planted.

That is the challenge of every difficult circumstance— To increase rather than decrease—to grow and not diminish—to bloom and not fade away.

Are you planted in a deep valley right now?  Are you in a situation where you are surrounded by thorns on every side?  Remember God loves you. He put you in the ground you are planted in. Determine to be a blessing and bloom where you are planted.

Never forget—God cares about lilies!  And if He cares about a lily, He cares infinitely more about YOU.  “And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these… Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field… shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?” (Mt. 6:28-30).

BLOOM WHERE YOU’RE PLANTED!