August 08

It Bears Repeating: Bloom Where You’re Planted!


God did it. He sent me here. … God has sent me here … Yes, it was God who sent me here….

Genesis 45:5-8 (NLT)


Work hard … work with enthusiasm as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

Ephesians 6:6-7 (NLT)


Are you like me? Sometimes I look back and ask, “How did I get here?” or “What am I doing here?”

Life can be a perplexing thing until we come to appreciate the hand of God and His great heart. Our peace and joy come when we appreciate the fact God knows what He is doing; He understands everything about us AND He has a plan to use us right where we are. Even if we don’t. Even if we are in the worst of situations, if we trust Him, if we love Him, then His amazing plans for us begin to unfold.

Take Joseph. In Genesis, we read how Joseph was separated from his family and sold into slavery—God allowed it. Later, we read how Joseph was unjustly accused and thrown into prison—God allowed that as well. But, eventually, God's plan unfolds. Joseph survived, became the number two man in the most powerful nation on earth and enjoyed a rather emotional reunion with his loved ones. And, yes, God allowed that too.

The thing we should remember is: God is in control … He put us here ... we work for Him and in the long run ... He will never let us down!


Lord, give me the strength to work hard for You, and, through it all, give me the heart to trust You each and every day. Amen.