Grow and Bloom

It’s easy to look at someone we admire and wonder why we can’t navigate life quite as well as they do: “She’s so patient . . .” “He’s so courageous in the face of uncertainty . . .” “Those two seem to have such a strong, Christ-centered relationship . . .” We can all be inspired by the goodness God has grown in others. But remember, the traits we admire didn’t spring up overnight. It would be like seeing a vibrant field of sunflowers and assuming they just appeared that way, out of nowhere.  

Of course, that’s not the case: they began as seeds, with lots of dirt involved, and grew slowly through good weather and bad until, finally, they became the full-flowered expression of the whole process. There will always be parts of us growing and parts of us blooming—that’s our journey. So, let’s go easy on ourselves; there’s a lot happening beneath the surface right now, and it’s just as important as what we can see. God is in the unfolding just as much as He is in the outcome. There’s purpose in all of it, and the more we focus on His presence in the process, the more natural and authentic our growth will be. 

Seek the Lord and His strength, seek His face continually. —I Chronicles 16:11 KJV 

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. —II Peter 3:18 ESV 

So, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. —I Corinthians 3:7 NIV 

Shanna Noel 
100 Days of Prayer 

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