James Oppenheim said, “The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise grows it under his feet,”(1) and this is what the Lord wants every believer to understand. We’re supposed to find fulfillment and contentment right where God’s placed us, and to bloom where we’re planted.
An individual named Craig Carlisle shared the story of how he left his home in rural Ohio in order to move to New York City to pursue a career as an artist. While there, he began longing for home; however, even though he missed his childhood home, he came to realize how important it was to find contentment right where he was currently planted. Carlisle stated,
My part time job in New York City, to help make ends meet, was being a helper to a rooftop gardener . . . The gardening job became a metaphor in my life and my studio. It was a healing experience to rip apart the earth and in its place unite a new innocent flower for others to behold . . .
I miss my friends back home in Columbus and the carefree life that I once lived there. However far I am from the mystery that separates me from the place I know as home, I will always remember the banner that hung in my family’s home growing up as a child. It read, “Bloom Where You Are Planted.”(2)
Life can sometimes be tough, and we can feel as though we’re the dirt that the rooftop gardener is ripping apart; however, in that soil that’s been crumbled and torn into tiny pieces is where a new flower is planted to grow and blossom. Life may not be ideal where we are, but it’s in that broken and aerated soil that God wishes to grow a beautiful flower - us - and this is what we’re going to discuss in tonight’s message: blooming where we’re planted, and trusting the hands of the Master Gardener.
Continue Where God Has Placed You (v. 17)
But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches (1 Corinthians 7:17).
The New Living Translation reads, “You must accept whatever situation the Lord has put you in, and continue on as you were when God first called you. This is my rule for all the churches” (1 Cor 7:17). Do we readily accept the situation that God’s put us in, or where He’s allowed us to be? Do we believe that where we are is where the Lord really wants us to be?
In America, we tend to subscribe to the belief that we’re not in God’s will unless we’re “prospering,” or receiving material and monetary blessings. Look around at the rest of the world. If we apply this belief to Christians living in Third World countries, then we would have to conclude that they’re not in God’s will, or that they’re not in a right relationship with the Lord. This, of course, is an unscriptural conclusion.
Here in America, consumerism has led many people to believe that this or that product is what’s needed to make us happy, and this kind of thinking has carried over into every other area of life. It can cause us to think that if we only had this type of life, or that type of occupation, then we could be truly happy. We’re often looking for something better in life, when really the Lord could have us where we are for a reason.
Where we are right now could be God’s will, even if it seems unpleasant or contrary to our own standards. “In today’s society we hear a message that says, ‘If only our situation were different, we would be happier and more fulfilled’.”(3)
And where does all this lead? . . . It leads to a general dissatisfaction with life, as well as further unhappiness. And perhaps worst of all, it keeps [us] from being the man or woman of God that [we] were created to be because it leads [us] to believe that [we] are not in a position to serve God yet.
If only [we] could change this or that, then [we] could really serve God. But not now. Not in [our] current situation. This is the lie that Paul will address in our text . . . God wants [us] to bloom where [we] have been planted. He can use [us] right now, in the situation in which [we] find [ourselves].(4)
Secondary Situations Don’t Bring Contentment (vv. 18-19a)
Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing (1 Corinthians 7:18-19a).
In Paul’s time circumcision was a big deal, for it was a special mark designating a Jew as one of God’s chosen people. It was also a mark of blessing. We live in a totally different society, and I know you’ll readily agree that peace and contentment in life is not found in circumcision! To make this applicable today, peace is not found in what we have or don’t have, or in our earthly possessions or positions.
Paul was saying, “Be satisfied with what you have. This earthly thing of circumcision won’t bring you happiness.” He said that circumcision, or uncircumcision, is “nothing” - that this earthly thing doesn’t amount to “a hill of beans” in God’s eyes. It’s not really important! It’s secondary to what really counts in life.
When [we] allow these secondary situations to become [our] primary focus, [we] become an unhappy and dissatisfied person. [We] fix [our] gaze on all the things that [we] would like to change. [We] concentrate on what is wrong. [We] mull over and over in [our] mind the way things “ought” to be.(5)
When it comes to serving in God’s kingdom, focusing on the things that appear to be wrong or not ideal will cause us to stand around and do nothing. John McLean says,
It’s amazing what can happen when we simply do the best we can whatever we are doing, no matter how insignificant it may seem . . . We can be frozen into inactivity waiting for “more” - more time, money, resources, people, whatever - and not use what we have been already given.(6)
Sometimes focusing on secondary situations can make us refuse to serve the Lord if we don’t get the preferred position or desired circumstances. Neil T. Anderson says,
An important concept about the will of God that my students hear at seminary is, “Bloom where you are planted.” Be the best you can be at your present assignment, and stay there until God calls you elsewhere.
Oftentimes my students will say, “There are no openings to serve at my church!” My response, “Oh, yes there are. They’re probably begging for someone to teach third-grade boys.” The momentary silence reveals this thought: “But anyone can teach third-grade boys. I had something bigger in mind.” Like maybe an opening in the Trinity!
Take the opportunity before you and teach those third-grade boys. Decide to be the best teacher they’ve ever had . . . People hearing of your faithfulness and aware of the fruit you are bearing [may] ask you to consider a full-time pastoral position . . . God guides those who bloom where they are planted.(7)
So, can you see what happens when we begin looking for peace and contentment in other places than where God has currently planted us? Do you see how easily we can become distracted to what the Lord wants for our life? This all happens when we focus on things that are secondary to what really counts in life.
Keeping God’s Commands Brings Contentment (vv. 19b-20)
But keeping the commandments of God is what matters. Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called (1 Corinthians 7:19b-20).
The New Living Translation reads, “The important thing is to keep God’s commandments. You should continue on as you were when God called you” (1 Cor 7:19b-20). There’s an expression which says, “Keep the main thing, the main thing.” So, what is the “main thing” that believers must keep as the central focus of their life? It is to keep God’s commandments, and to live one’s life pleasing to the Lord. “Instead of focusing on all the other situations that are not ideal, we need to focus on living a life fully committed to following Jesus Christ.”(8)
So, where’s a believer to live his or her life “fully committed to following Jesus Christ?” Paul said, “You should continue on as you were when God called you,” or “Let each one remain in the same calling” (1 Cor 7:20). We’re called to serve God and be obedient to Him right where we are - in our current job, in our current city, in our present financial situation, in our present social status, or wherever we currently find ourselves. Our primary calling in the Christian life is the call to obedience.
Physical Freedom Doesn’t Bring Contentment (vv. 21-23)
Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it. For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ’s slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men (1 Corinthians 7:21-23).
Paul continued to say that even if we should find ourselves in one of the worst possible situations - that of slavery and bondage - we “can” and “should” still serve the Lord. Not many Americans know the pain and utter hopelessness of slavery. However, some people feel as though they’re slaves (or even prisoners) of sickness and disease. Paul was trying to emphasize that peace isn’t found in our physical state of being or existence, or in our circumstances. Our situation in life is secondary to what really matters.
Paul earlier spoke about the secondary situations of earthly possessions and positions, and here he addressed one’s physical state of being. One way in which our physical state of being can become a concern, or a distraction, is when we’re physically ill. Dee Kreidel, a single mother with a chronic illness known as Lupus, provides an applicable and inspirational testimony. She says,
Every so often, when we go on walks, or when we used to go hiking, my children and I would find the most beautiful flowers in the most unlikely places. We always called them “paradise flowers” - you know, the flowers that you expect to be blooming in a beautiful, lush, exceptionally green forest or field. Yet, here were these extraordinary flowers in the harshest conditions - thriving, blooming, adding their own beauty in an otherwise devoid-of-life beauty.
I think about those paradise flowers often. And, I know in my heart that God puts them there to remind us. He wants us to remember that no matter what life throws [our] way - no matter where [we] are “planted,” [we] are meant to bloom. [We] were “planted” there for a reason.(9)
Physical illness can be a devastating thing, and it’s easy to become distracted to serving the Lord by one’s pain or associated depression, or even self-pity; but as Kreidel testified, we can have the right attitude and look past our disabilities to see that God has a plan for our life, and that He wishes to use us.
Illness is not the only physical situation that can distract us from serving the Lord. Some people feel as though they’re slaves or prisoners to trials and circumstances. The devotional guide “Our Daily Bread” provides an illustration about blooming while in the middle of trials and difficulties:
A little girl walking in a garden noticed a particularly beautiful flower. She admired its beauty and enjoyed its fragrance. “It’s so pretty!” she exclaimed. As she gazed on it, her eyes followed the stem down to the soil in which it grew. “This flower is too pretty to be planted in such dirt!” she cried. So she pulled it up by its roots and ran to the water faucet to wash away the soil. It wasn’t long until the flower wilted and died.
When the gardener saw what the little girl had done, he exclaimed, “You have destroyed my finest plant!” “I’m sorry, but I didn’t like it in that dirt,” she said. The gardener replied, “I chose that spot and mixed the soil because I knew that only there could it grow to be a beautiful flower.”
Often we murmur because of the circumstances into which God has sovereignly placed us. We fail to realize that He is using our pressures, trials and difficulties [or the dirt] to bring us to a new degree of spiritual beauty. Contentment comes when we accept what God is doing and thank Him for it. Contentment enables you to grow where God has planted you.(10)
We may be in the middle of some pretty ugly circumstances. Our life may seem dirty and a complete mess from all the junk that’s come our way, and we may be tempted to just give up on serving God. We must remember, however, that all of those bad things are the dirt which becomes the fertile soil in which God wants us to grow and blossom. Therefore, we need to choose to be content right where we are, and choose to serve the Lord where we are.
Bloom Where You Are Planted (v. 24)
Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called (1 Corinthians 7:24).
The New Living Translation reads, “So, dear brothers and sisters, whatever situation you were in when you became a believer, stay there in your new relationship with God” (1 Cor 7:24). Paul left one last reminder to bloom where we’re planted; and then he emphasized that the Lord “called” us to the place where we currently find ourselves.
We might say, “Well, I’m experiencing trials right now. I don’t believe that God’s called me to go through these difficulties.” God didn’t cause the trials we’re experiencing, but He does allow them to happen, either as a test or as a result of our sin. The thing we need to remember is that the Lord knew ahead of time what we would endure; and what He calls us to do is continue in obedience, and keep serving Him in the midst of our trials.
Time of Reflection
Life circumstances may not be ideal where we are. We may be struggling financially, living on retirement income, or our health may be suffering. We may even be struggling with feelings of insignificance, having a desire to serve the Lord and feeling that we could serve Him more effectively in a better situation or different location. Joyce Meyer encourages,
You are not where you are by accident. If you are trusting God and you believe your steps are ordered by Him, then wherever you are right now is where you are supposed to be . . . Our job is not to worry about where we are planted, but our job is to bloom where we are planted . . . Once you are satisfied, happy, and fruitful where you are, expect God to bless you beyond belief.(11)
Will you make an attempt to bloom where you’re planted, faithfully serving God where you are; or will you hold off serving Him until you get to the “right” place or situation? I want to leave you with a poem that provides strength and encouragement to carry on right where you are. The poem is entitled, “Bloom Where You Are Planted.”
“Bloom where you are planted!”
That’s what the Lord says too,
When He transplants His children dear,
And they’re forced to start anew.
“Bloom where you are planted!”
Though it be dark or bright,
Some blossoms give their fragrance best,
In the darkest hours of night.
“Bloom where you are planted!”
Be strong, be not afraid.
The winds may blow and sun may beat,
And your spirit droop and fade.
“Bloom where you are planted!”
You will withstand the strain.
God’s life within will guarantee,
That His plants will remain.(12)
NOTES
(1) Zig Ziglar, Steps to the Top (Gretna, LA: Pelican Publishing, 1998), p. 72.
(2) Craig Carlisle, “Bloom Where You Are Planted,” Short North Gazette (Columbus, OH: January 2000).
(3) J. David Hoke, “Bloom Where You’re Planted,” posted March 2, 2003, www.horizonsnet.org/sermons/1cor19.html (Accessed June 2005); Hoke states, “This data file may not be copied, except for small quotations used with citation of source.”
(4) Ibid.
(5) Ibid.
(6) John McLean, “Bloom Where You’re Planted,” posted March 2003, World Wide Church of God Africa: www.wcg.org/africa/WN/Mar%202003/15.htm (Accessed November 30, 2009).
(7) Neil T. Anderson, “Bloom Where You Are Planted,” CrossWalk: www.crosswalk.com/faith/devotionals/dailyinchrist/544524.html (Accessed November 30, 2009).
(8) J. David Hoke, “Bloom Where You’re Planted.”
(9) Dee Kreidel, “Bloom Where You Are Planted,” posted March 24, 2005, In The Spirit of Grace: www.quikonnex.com/channel/item/11208 (Accessed November 30, 2009).
(10) “Uprooted by Discontentment,” published September 9, 1992, Our Daily Bread: www.fms-help.com/marriage2.htm (Accessed June 2005).
(11) Joyce Meyer, in www.amfchristianvideos.com/Bloom_Where_You_Are_Planted.htm (Accessed June 2005).
(12) “Bloom Where You Are Planted,” - www.fms-help.com/marriage2.htm (Accessed June 2005).
