To Bloom and To Blossom

To climb higher is to grow in maturity in the Lord. As time passes since the day we come to the Lord, our mindset should change to be more Christ-like and more eternally focused. In both good and bad seasons of our life, we need to continually bloom and blossom.

In 1 Corinthians 7, the Apostle Paul answers specific questions from the Corinthian church about marriage and celibacy. In verses 17–24, Paul gives more general principles. Wherever we are, no matter our status, we are called to bloom and blossom for God.

1 Corinthians 7:17–24 (MSG): "And don’t be wishing you were someplace else or with someone else. Where you are right now is God’s place for you. Live and obey and love and believe right there. God, not your marital status, defines your life."

Compared to eternity, our life on earth is short. Don’t wait for perfect circumstances; we would be miserable waiting for the "right moment" to bloom and blossom. The time to do so is now.

Joseph is a fine biblical example of one who flourished wherever God placed him. Daniel and his three friends also flourished during the Babylonian exile. The grass is not greener on the other side; it is greener where you water it.

“The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise grows it under his feet.” — James Oppenheim

How Can We Bloom and Blossom?

Embrace the Life God Has Given You

1 Corinthians 7:17 (MSG): "And don’t be wishing you were someplace else or with someone else. Where you are right now is God’s place for you. Live and obey and love and believe right there."

To embrace the life God has given us, we need to accept it willingly and enthusiastically. We need to submit to God’s sovereign will for our lives. In difficult moments, do we see God’s providence, grace, and mercy? Can we see things from God’s perspective?

Keep the Commandments of God

1 Corinthians 7:19 (MSG): "The really important thing is obeying God’s call, following His commands."

Keeping God’s commandments requires us to discipline ourselves to study His Word. There are no shortcuts to blooming and blossoming in this aspect. The Word of God is powerful and transformative.

Hebrews 4:12 (ESV): "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

Jeremiah 23:29 (ESV): "Is not My word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?"

God Is With You

1 Corinthians 7:24 (MSG): "Friends, stay where you were called to be. God is there. Hold the high ground with Him at your side."

We must learn to be aware of God’s presence in our lives. When we are faithful, God will cause us to bloom and blossom. He will enable us to be fruitful in our season. Though we face many temptations, we can conquer them with the power of the Holy Spirit.

Make a difference. Bloom and blossom where God has planted you.

God Keeps a Record

In Nehemiah 3, we observe the following:

• Each person worked in their place, with recurring phrases like "next to him," "next to them," "after him," and "after them" throughout the chapter.
• Many worked outside their homes (see verses 21, 23–24, 28–30).
• God notices when we do more than required (Meremoth in verses 4 and 21; the Tekoites in verses 5 and 27).
• God also takes note of our attitudes. Baruch, son of Zabbai, served diligently (verse 20).
• God doesn’t just notice the "upfront" people. Even marginalized people, like Melatiah the Gibeonite (verse 7), are recognized.
• As a warning, God records those who did nothing (see Nehemiah 3:5).

Let us play our part in our local church and be reminded of Grace Assembly Klang’s mission and vision.

Conclusion

“The mark of a great church is not its seating capacity but its sending capacity.” — Mike Stachura

Today, God invites you to join Him in His work in your local church. Will you join Him?

God is also inviting you to bloom and blossom where He has placed you—whether in your family, workplace, business, or place of study. Will you join Him?