Gò0dNews for Everyone
Bloom Where You Are Planted
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by Beth Penny
ave you ever heard the saying, “Bloom where
heard the story of Moses. Moses, with his insecurities,
you’re planted?” Here’s what I know. If I
as well, angered God questioning His call to rescue
planted it, it surely will not bloom, grow,
the Hebrew people. Exodus 4: 10-12 says, “Moses
or flourish in the least. Any plant that I touch will
said to the Lord, ‘Pardon your servant, Lord. I have
inevitably die within a couple of weeks. I walk by
never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you
beautiful flowers in the store that cringe as I pass,
have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and
pleading me not to pick them up. Because if I buy
tongue.’ The Lord said to him, ‘Who gave human beings
and plant them, it is a death sentence for the poor
their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives
seedlings. I wish I could take those scrawny seedlings
them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now
and help them to flourish into flowers, fruits, and
go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.’”
vegetables. God looks at us the same way. Not for what we are at that second, but for what potential He sees in us to bloom where we are planted. And, God does plant us. He readies a place for us to flourish and grow. He will lead us in the direction that He wants us to go. But we are only human. Sometimes, we stand in the way of where God is leading us. Sometimes, when God is trying to use us, we look for every excuse in the world not to do whatever it is that God is telling us to do. “I’m not ready. I’m not qualified. I’m not worthy.” The list of excuses keeps going. The reality is that when God calls you to do something, He also equips you. God will
God uses imperfect people to spread a perfect
prepare and provide for you with whatever you need
word. God uses our insecurities to further His
to be productive. God always gives us the tools that we
message. A wise pastor recently told me, “When I look
can use to grow.
for workers, I don’t look for the most charismatic, the
Even knowing that, sometimes, I am still stubborn.
most gifted, or the most talented. I look for those that
In my insecurities, I question God being able to use
are most willing to grow.” I encourage you to look for
me. “Why? Why me? Someone else could do a better
where God is leading you. Look for where the ground
job.” Well, the answer is God didn’t call someone
is ready for you and bloom where you are planted.
us to further His message to the world. I’m sure you’ve
20 // May 2022
About The Author
else—He is calling me; He is calling you. He is calling Beth Penny has taught English at Model High School since 1997. There she is also the Yearbook adviser and the Special Education Department Chair. She and her husband, Chad, have four children.
